The Rangers' latest back-to-back set featured brother versus-brother action as Charlie Lindgren started in both games against his younger sibling Ryan.
The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals split a home-and-home this past weekend.
It was a back-to-back set that featured two brothers: Rangers' top-pairing defender Ryan Lindgren (25 years old) and Capitals' netminder Charlie Lindgren.
Ryan told The Hockey News earlier in the month that he and his brother traveled home for Christmas together, back to Lakeville, Minnesota.
Both brothers played college hockey in their native state, Charlie suiting up for St. Cloud and Ryan skating for the University of Minnesota.
Charlie stifled the Rangers in the two clubs' first meeting this season, pitching his fourth career shutout in a 4-0 victory on Dec. 7.
The pair would both return from the Christmas break in New York on Dec. 27, with Charlie serving as Darcy Kuemper's backup in the Rangers' 5-1 win.
This time around, Charlie would make his first career start at Madison Square Garden.
Charlie has been a feel-good story on a flailing Capitals team after bouncing around from the AHL to the NHL roster.
He has backstopped the Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rockets, St. Louis Blues, and Springfield Thunderbirds before arriving in Washington, D.C., in 2022.
The older Lindgren had played in 29 NHL games from 2015 to 2021. He surpassed that total in one season as a Capital, starting in 48 games the last two seasons.
The two brothers found themselves navigating brotherhood around a bitter divisional rivalry.
"I think it's tough not to have a little carryover," Ryan told The Hockey News.
"Whether you're going at it with someone or whatever it may be, it's a quick turnaround. We were disappointed at Saturday's game, came out today and got the job done. "
"Just the fact we play in the same division, there is not a lot of room for any complacency," Charlie told reporters on Friday. "A good start, but got to keep her going."
On Saturday, Ryan lit up Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary, leading to a battle between him and Nick Dowd, a family friend:
"Yeah, it's funny 'cause Dowder and Ryan know each other from back home, too, and both guys play extremely hard, and my brother plays extremely hard-nosed hockey, and you know, Dowder's not afraid to shy away from anyone," Lindgren told the Washington media (H/t Sammi Silber).
Then on Sunday, more shenanigans occurred as Charlie sent a stick at Lindgren after the whistle.
"I had to eyeball him after that," Ryan said.
All in all, it was a fun few days for the Lindgren brothers.
"It was a fun couple of days for him for sure," Ryan said of his brother's back-to-back starts. "Not between games, but before, on Friday, I went over and had dinner at his place. But not after yesterday's game, I was in no mood to talk to him."
That was because Charlie once again earned a victory over the Rangers, saving 25 of 27 shots to help the Caps comeback in the third period.
That prompted head coach Spencer Carberry to start the hot, Ranger-killing keeper at Madison Square Garden.
The lights were brighter on Broadway as No.79 made 31 saves, many in dazzling fashion at the World's Most Famous Arena.
The Rangers would defeat the Capitals to end their four-game losing streak.
The Lindgren parents, Bob and Jennifer, were at both games this weekend. The middle brother, Andrew, couldn't because he's a firefighter in Minnesota and was in the midst of a 72-hour shift (H/T Washington Post's Bailey Johnson).
The Lindgrens may face each other again this season if the Capitals can will their way into the playoff picture. For now, they can reflect on these fun games.
The New York Rangers (27-13-2) host the Seattle Kraken (19-14-9) on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 7:00 p.m. (ET).