In The Fight Of His Life With The Capitals, Lindgren Gives All The Credit To Kuemper: 'He's Been In My Corner'
Lindgren had nothing but good things to say about his goalie partner, who he took the starting spot from this season with the Capitals.
Aaron Doster - USA TODAY Sports - In The Fight Of His Life With The Capitals, Lindgren Gives All The Credit To Kuemper: 'He's Been In My Corner'WASHINGTON — In the middle of the fight for his and the Washington Capitals' playoff lives, Charlie Lindgren stood proudly at the front of the locker room after shutting out the Boston Bruins on Monday, using the time and attention from all of the cameras to give credit to one player in particular: Darcy Kuemper.
Lindgren, who has overtaken Kuemper as the team's starter down the stretch and appears all but set to hit the 50-game mark on Tuesday, paid tribute to his goalie partner, explaining that his success at this point in the season would not be possible without No. 35.
"I can't say enough good things about my goalie partner, Darcy Kuemper. I know it maybe hasn't been the easiest of situations for him, but he's handled it like an absolute pro."
Kuemper has played in 33 games this season, posting a .890 save percentage and dealing with his own struggles while managing -4.8 goals saved above expected.
Lindgren, on the other hand, has a .910 save percentage through 49 games and six shutouts — tied for the most in the league — while saving 9 goals above expected. Still, he said he couldn't have gotten to this point without No. 35.
"He's been in my corner, I can't thank him enough," Lindgren said.
Washington has one last game left, another do-or-die showdown with the Philadelphia Flyers that will determine whether or not D.C. sneaks into the postseason. A win will put the Capitals in, and they will face Lindgren's brother, Ryan, and the New York Rangers in the first round. A regulation loss, and they're out.
All signs point to Lindgren starting, an unconventional move with him having shut out Boston just 24 hours prior, but it's the move that gives Washington its best chance.
And for No. 79, he said he's ready to answer the call.
"I've been dreaming of this moment for 20 years, honestly," Lindgren said.