As the Pittsburgh Penguins season came to an end, a veteran forward called it a career.

PITTSBURGH – It was a meaningless game for the Pittsburgh Penguins in terms of looking for a playoff spot, but there was plenty to celebrate in what turned out to be Jeff Carter’s final lap in the NHL. The Penguins traveled to take on the New York Islanders, and it quickly turned into the Carter show.

The Penguins invited Carter’s family to Long Island to take in the game in person, and former teammate with the Los Angeles Kings, Jonathan Quick, joined them in their box. For the opening faceoff, Sidney Crosby moved to the wing and let Carter take the draw.

The first and second periods appeared run-of-the-mill, but as time started to wind down in the third frame, it became increasingly clear what was happening. The Penguins got a late power play opportunity, and Carter joined the top unit as the net-front presence.

The Penguins kept trying to feed Carter for a goal until Crosby finally got a puck through traffic that Carter knocked into the yawning cage. It was Carter’s 442^nd and final goal.

As the final buzzer rang, the Penguins lost to the Islanders by a score of 5-4, but the celebration of Carter continued. The Islanders lined up to shake his hand one by one while his teammates didn’t leave the ice. Carter was eventually named the game’s third star and took a final twirl on NHL ice.

Carter’s family met him on the Penguins bench and joined him as he walked off the ice for the last time.

Carter confirmed afterwards that he was calling it a career after 19 seasons in the NHL. In 1,321 games Carter has a case for the Hall of Fame with 442 goals, 409 assists, and 850 total points. While a member of the Kings, Carter won two Stanley Cup championships.

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