The Capitals are running it back and trusting Lindgren with the netminding duties again against the Rangers.
The Washington Capitals are sticking with what worked against the New York Rangers just 24 hours ago and are running it back with the same lineup — and that includes the netminder, as Charlie Lindgren will get both games in the home-and-home and play two consecutive days for the first time in the NHL.
Head coach Spencer Carbery announced the decision in his pre-game presser.
Lindgren made his return from injury on Saturday and stopped 25 of 27 shots (.926 save percentage) en route to a 3-2 win. He had been nursing an upper-body ailment since Dec. 29 and hadn't played a full game since Dec. 23.
It's a big deal for the 30-year-old, who will get to face his brother, Ryan, for the third time ever and for the first time at Madison Square Garden. The move also speaks volumes about the team's direction in goale going forward.
He and Darcy Kuemper usually split back-to-back sets, but Lidngren's numbers this season and against the Rangers are hard to ignore.
In 16 games this season, Lindgren has a 2.25 GAA and .928 save percentage, the second-best in the league. His mid-range save percentage of .961 ranks in the 99th percentile league-wide, and his 14.5 goals saved above expected also rank third in the NHL.
Against the Rangers, his numbers are even better; in two games against New York, he has a 1.00 GAA and .966 save percentage.
Lindgren has experience playing in back-to-back games from his AHL days, but now, he'll face the same test at a higher level.
And if Lindgren can capitalize on this opportunity and help steal both games of a back-to-back, it could further solidify his role as the team's starter going forward.