John Carlson Discharged From Hospital, Out Indefinitely For Capitals

WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals announced that defenseman John Carlson has been discharged from the hospital and is out indefinitely after taking a slapshot to the right side of his face in Friday's win over the Winnipeg Jets.

At the start of the third period against Winnipeg, the 32-year-old defenseman was in the defensive zone when a point shot from Brenden Dillon hit him in the right side of the face. Carlson immediately fell to the ice and was bleeding profusely as his teammates rushed to get him medical assistance.

The trainers then tended to No. 74 and helped him quickly down the tunnel, and the game was paused as the ice shovelers cleaned the blood off the ice. The arena went silent.

He had been transported to a local hospital for precautionary evaluation. Carlson remains under the care of the Capitals' medical personnel, per the team.

It is tough news for the Capitals, who are also without the services of another top-4 defenseman in Martin Fehervary. Through 30 games this season, Carlson has eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points. He leads the team in time on ice per game, averaging 23:24 minutes a night. Carlson had also been filling in for an injured T.J. Oshie in the bumper spot on the power play.

After the win, Alex Ovechkin, who passed Gordie Howe for the second-most goals in NHL history on Friday, said that the team played the third period with their No. 1 defenseman in mind.

"I hope he's all right," Ovechkin said. "I don't know what's happening right now, but all our minds right now are with him."