Carlson calls facing Capitals for first time 'weird'

John Carlson will face the Washington Capitals for the first time Saturday, and he expects it to feel strange. The Tampa Bay Lightning host Washington at Benchmark International Arena at 7 p.m. ET.

"I think it'll be weird," Carlson said. "Obviously, as soon as the schedule came out, it didn't take long to see it."

The 36-year-old defenceman played 17 seasons with the Capitals, who drafted him 27th overall in 2008. He was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on March 6, the day of last season's NHL Trade Deadline. The deal was announced after 1 a.m. ET, and Washington got a first-round pick (No. 18) in the 2026 draft and a third-round pick in 2027. Carlson said he thought he would finish his career in Washington "pretty much every day up until that." He never faced the Capitals as a Duck. After helping Anaheim end an eight-year playoff drought, he signed a two-year, $17 million contract with Tampa Bay as a free agent on July 1.

His Lightning debut came Thursday, a 5-1 loss at the New York Rangers. Washington opened with a 5-2 win at the Carolina Hurricanes.

Carlson is Washington's all-time leader among defencemen in goals (166), assists (605), points (771) and games (1,143). He had 20 points in 24 games during the 2018 Cup run.

Tom Wilson, his teammate for 13 seasons, said it will be "weird to play against him, but I think there'll be some laughs, some smiles." He added: "He's definitely not going to take it easy on us."

Alex Ovechkin said, "It's going to be tough, but it's a business. He's a great friend, unbelievable leader. I miss this guy in the locker room."

Carlson expects the oddness to fade quickly. "I think once the game starts, after the first few shifts, it will feel more normal," he said. He will play on Tampa Bay's top defence pair and run its first power-play unit. The Lightning visit Washington on March 15, which Carlson said will "probably" be more emotional.