"Although the Washington Capitals' 6-2, preseason-opening victory over the host Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night was not a display of defensive fortitude, the performance of one of the team's rising young blue liners particularly pleased Coach Bruce Boudreau. John Carlson saw more than 21 minutes of ice time, blocked two shots, made minimal errors in his own zone - which he was able to correct himself - and furthered Boudreau's belief that he is prepared to be a key cog in the Capitals' defense. "He's picked up where he left off," Boudreau said. "Carlson's going to be a fairly good offensive player, too, and I say that because I find myself telling him the exact stuff I told to Mike Green. Their playing [style is] very similar as far as an offensive player goes." Carlson's ability to step in on the point on the power play should take pressure off Green, Boudreau said, when the two-time Norris Trophy finalist can't play the entire length of a man-advantage. Earlier during training camp, Carlson said he hoped the Capitals would eventually rely on him the way his previous teams - the minor league affiliate Hershey Bears, the United States' world junior squad and the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights - have. It might not take long for Carlson to get his wish, even if he is still working out a few kinks. "I felt pretty good" against the Blue Jackets, Carlson said. "I didn't exactly know what to expect because it's the first real game situation in a while and I felt rusty at some points, but overall I thought I played good. At one point I stepped up and poke checked a guy. It hit into his pads, but it was good to recover from that. As time goes on, it will all get easier." " http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/23/AR2010092305777.html
