The NHL's No. 1 team is getting its No. 1 defenseman back Friday.

The Washington Capitals will welcome back John Carlson for their tilt against the New Jersey Devils.

Carlson has been out since Feb. 24, ailing from a lower-body injury. Despite being limited to just 47 games this season, he still ranks first among Capitals defensemen with 25 assists and 31 points.

The 26-year-old has been absent from the team's past 13 games, a stretch that has seen the club go 8-4-1.

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