NFL jerseys 2010-07-30

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The last three NHL campaigns have ended in bitter disappointment for the Washington Capitals, as they have won just one playoff series though each regular season produced a Southeast Division Championship.  

Many players have developed reputations for disappearing in big games and important situations, but one young defenseman looks to be the one to break that trend in the nation’s capital.  

John Carlson, a 20-year-old American born defenseman has emerged as a confident, clutch force on the Washington blueline.  

Carlson lives for big game situations, and has delivered offensively when his team needed him the most.  

During this winter’s World Junior Hockey Championships in Saskatchewan, Carlson notched the overtime game winning goal—propelling the United States past Canada in the Gold Medal game.

The young blueliner’s penchant for the dramatic continued during the Capitals’ first round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.  

As the Capitals battled back from a 4-1 deficit in Game 2, the Canadiens held a 5-4 lead with just over a minute to play. Carlson then struck—wiring a wrist shot from just over the blueline to send the game to overtime.  

Though the Capitals were eliminated in seven games, Carlson lead all Caps’ defensemen in points and showed he belongs in the NHL.  

Weeks later at the 2010 Calder Cup Finals, the Hershey Bears trailed 2-1 in the series, and sat deadlocked at 2 late in Game 4.  Once again, Carlson came through in the clutch, scoring the game winner with just over two minutes remaining.

This intangible that Carlson possesses, an ability to produce in big games and clutch situations is something the Capitals desperately need.  

For a team that features offensive players who have a tendency to disappear in these important games such as Mike Green, Alexander Semin and Tomas Fleischmann, Carlson’s confidence and ice-in-the-veins demeanor is an important addition.  

Carlson’s rise to NHL stardom has been a quick ascent, jumping from the Atlantic Junior Hockey League’s New Jersey Rockets to the bright lights of the NHL in just four seasons.

His development as a defenseman is critical, but he possesses the ability to take over games, which is a rare quality to find in a young player.  

For a team that has an embarrassment of riches in terms of talented young players, Carlson’s impressive championship resume is a welcome addition, and a critical one for this squad hoping to take the next step towards bringing a Stanley Cup to D.C.  

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