POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Caps 4, Lightning 3

Ain't It All Right - Taking on the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night at Capital One Arena, the Caps weren't seeking anything pretty or fancy, just two points in whatever fashion they might be obtained. Coming off a pair of lopsided losses on home ice, the Caps were merely seeking to get back into the win column and to keep their distant pursuers in the standings exactly that, distant.

John Carlson's second four-point night of the season helped ensure those two points for the Caps in Washington's 4-3 victory over the Bolts, as he had a hand in all of the Caps' offense on the night while playing a sturdy game in his own end as well.
Carlson scored a pair of power-play goals and added helpers on even-strength markers from Martin Fehervary and Alex Ovechkin, and he made a crucial pokecheck on Lightning forward Brayden Point in the game's final minute to de-escalate a dangerous situation in the slot in front of Caps goaltender Ilya Samsonov.
With three points (one goal, two assists) in the first period of Wednesday's game, Carlson became the second Caps skater - both of them defensemen - to collect three points in a period this season. Nick Jensen had three assists in the third period of a March 8 game against the Flames in Calgary.
Additionally, Carlson became the first Caps' defenseman to score two power-play goals in the same game in nearly nine years, since Mike Green netted a pair of extra-man tallies in a 3-2 overtime victory over Boston on April 27, 2013 in the regular season finale of the lockout-abbreviated 2012-13 season.
"The power play has been good," says Caps coach Peter Laviolette. "It's been on point for a while, but they moved it well and John Carlson had a massive game. He was noticeable - not only in the offensive zone, because that's where it's easy to notice him - but he was really good in the defensive zone as well."

Most importantly for the Caps on this night were the two points. But given their recent struggles on home ice, scoring the game's first goal, adding to the lead and maintaining it for the remainder of the night - particularly against a team of Tampa Bay's caliber - is also a plus.
"That was big," says Carlson. "And I think [Ilya Samsonov's] save to keep it where it was at, too, was huge. That kind of goes hand in hand with our record and especially our home record, is getting out to better starts. We didn't look too far back to see what happens when we don't start out well."

Great Eight Update - With his 43rd goal of the season in the first period of Wednesday's game, Ovechkin reached the 1,400-point plateau for his NHL career, becoming the 21st player in League history to reach that milestone.
Only two players in NHL history have scored more goals in a single season at the age of 36 or older than Ovechkin has this season: Gordie Howe scored 44 goals at the age of 40 in 1968-69 and Teemu Selanne netted 48 goals at the age of 36 in 2006-07.
The Caps' captain now has 773 goals and 628 assists for 1,401 points; he collected an assist on Carlson's second power-play goal in the second period. He is now eight points behind Dale Hawerchuk (1,409) for 20th place on the League's all-time scoring ledger.
Bring It On Home - Making just his fourth start in 15 games - and his first at home in over a month - Samsonov stopped 25 of 28 shots to pick up his 20th win of the season on Wednesday, recording the first 20-win season of his NHL career.
Samsonov improved to 2-0-0 in his career against the Lightning, and he recorded his first win on home ice in calendar 2022. His previous victory in the District was a 5-3 win over Nashville on Dec. 29, and each of his seven victories between then and now came on the road.
"He made a couple of big saves throughout the game," says Laviolette. "You need that. You need those big ones, and I thought he was good. But he also seemed to keep himself in the game and dialed in, and he had to. They pushed and pressed the entire game. Even if they were behind, they kept coming. And with that, you're going to need some saves from your goaltender, and he gave them to us tonight."
With his win on Wednesday, Samsonov has won each of his last three starts. In his next appearance, he will be aiming for his 50th career victory; he currently sits at 49-19-7 in his 82 career appearances.
By The Numbers - Carlson led the Caps with 24:48 in ice time, and he was on the ice for nearly half of the third period (9:46) … Ovechkin led the Caps with four shots on net and 10 shot attempts … Fehervary led the Capitals with half a dozen hits on the night … Carlson, Tom Wilson and Trevor van Riemsdyk each had four blocked shots to lead Washington … Connor McMichael won four of six face-offs (67 percent) and Nic Dowd won five of eight (63 percent).