A hit from Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett sent Washington Capitals defenceman John Carlson to the locker room in the waning moments of Washington’s Game 1 win.
Bennett appeared to hit Carlson high and late after the Capitals’ 4-2 win was all but locked up. Carlson slumped over on the ice for a few moments before he got up to his feet and skated off.
The hit appeared to be out of frustration. Bennett has a history of illegal hits. He was suspended three games earlier this season for a hit on Montreal’s Cedric Paquette.
Carlson has been instrumental in the Capitals’ success. There has not been any official news on Carlson. That’s a great thing.
He was seen in the locker room following the game. It appeared he was okay. But, until there is an official ward to dispel any concerns, eyes will be targeted towards the status of Carlson.
Washington is already dealing with the lower body injury of forward Tom Wilson. Wilson left the game in the first period after he scored the series’ first goal.
