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Oates on Carlson: ‘I think the Olympics will energize him’

New York Islanders v Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 04: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals looks on against the New York Islanders during the second period at the Verizon Center on February 4, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Patrick Smith

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson will be making his first trip to the Olympics to represent the United States.

As Katie Carrera of The Washington Post shares, Caps coach Adam Oates believes playing on the big stage in Sochi will make him a better player down the stretch

“I don’t worry about it based on [workload] because I think the Olympics will energize him,” Coach Adam Oates said. “I think he’ll zero his focus in again…. You’re going to play with the best players in the world at the highest level. So for one week I think it will, if nothing else, re-energize him.”

Carlson, 24, has played internationally before in the World Junior Championships, but incorporating the condensed NHL schedule and the jam-packed Olympic schedule could be an issue for some players.

This season, Carlson has 10 goals and 23 points in 59 games. He trails only Mike Green among defensemen on the team in scoring. If he can pick up his play following the Olympics, the Capitals could sure use the lift as they’re one point back of the final wild card spot in the East.

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