The Capitals netminder ranks second in the NHL in save percentage this season.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — Charlie Lindgren was all smiles as he took in another full practice with the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, and he's officially off the injured reserve and ready to play. And for the Capitals, it couldn't come at a better time.
Lindgren has officially been activated off the IR and could be in net against the Kraken on Thursday. Hunter Shepard has been returned to the AHL's Hershey Bears.
Lindgren has not played since suffering an upper-body injury in the opening minutes of Washington's 5-1 loss to the New York Islanders back on Dec. 29. He stopped three shots before leaving the game and has been on a long road to recovery since.
Getting him back in the lineup will be a major boost for the Capitals, who have won just two of six games since Lindgren went down with injury. Darcy Kuemper and Shepard have been holding down the fort since the 30-year-old's injury, helping the team remain in Wild Card territory amid some struggles after the break.
Lindgren has been one of the NHL's top goaltenders this season, ranking fourth in goals saved above expected (12.3), and his 0.043 rebounds per save rank second in the league. He also ranks second in the league in save percentage (.928) through 15 games this season. His play has not only made him among the league's top goaltenders but also earned him a spot as the Capitals' bonafide starter.
Even if Lindgren doesn't play on Thursday and backs up, he will likely get one of the two games in the team's weekend back-to-back series with the New York Rangers. Lindgren faced the Rangers and his brother, Ryan, for the first time back on Dec. 9 and posted a 34-save shutout.