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Making an impact, John Carlson accomplishes career first with Ducks
Anaheim Ducks defenseman John Carlson. Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images

Making an impact, John Carlson accomplishes career first with Ducks

By Mike J. Asti  |  Last updated Apr 10, 2026 4:12 PM ET

As he's fitting in nicely and preparing for a playoff run with his new team, John Carlson has already achieved a career first during his brief time as a member of the Anaheim Ducks. 

On Thursday night in the midst of the Ducks' big 6-1 win over the rival San Jose Sharks, Carlson scored three goals and was a +2 in the game.

It took 17 seasons for John Carlson to record a hat trick  

Carlson's three-goal game marked the very first time he recorded a hat trick in a game throughout his 17-year career. 

Carlson is starting to hit his stride with the Ducks. Carlson, who took a while to get going after the trade, has four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 13 games with Anaheim.

Overall, Carlson has 14 goals and 44 assists for 58 points as a +9 in 68 games combined with the Washington Capitals and Ducks. 

Carlson's trade marked an end of an era for the Capitals. After spending the first 16-and-a-half years of his career in Washington, Carlson was dealt across the country and into the Western Conference to provide a young Ducks team with a veteran presence. 

Ducks are still likely heading to the playoff despite their recent rough patch 

Despite the addition of Carlson, Anaheim's latest win snapped a rough patch. The Ducks were 0-5-1 in their last six games prior to Thursday night. They are only 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. 

However, Carlson is still likely headed to his first postseason on the Western Conference side nonetheless. Carlson appeared in the postseason 14 times with the Capitals, being a key part of their 2018 Stanley Cup championship run. 

With their latest win, the Ducks have a 42-32-5 record and 89 points, and the third position in the Pacific Division. 

Carlson's hat trick gives him 170 career goals. He also has 613 assists for 783 total points in 1,156 NHL games. 

Mike J. Asti
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Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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