Lindgren was the star of the night before exiting with injury.
The Washington Capitals got a standout game from Charlie Lindgren against the Boston Bruins, who was able to keep them in it with some huge ten-bell saves. However, one of those highlight-reel stops led to an ugly-looking injury that would take him out of the game.
Lindgren stood tall before exiting the game, and though Tom Wilson and Nick Jensen scored, it wasn't enough to lead Washington past the red-hot Bruins in a 5-2 loss.
Here are all the takeaways from the defeat:
Charlie Lindgren Puts On A Show, Hurt On Stellar Stop
Lindgren's first full NHL season hasn't been what he envisioned, but he ended it on a strong note with a stellar outing against the league's top team.
The 29-year-old put on a clinic, making some huge stops, including one with his bare hand exposed. He was flashy with the glove, confident in the crease and brilliant in his lateral movement and puck-tracking ability.
Though three goals got by, they weren't on him.
His last standout save, a scorpion-style stop, would leave him on the ice hurting and clutching at his back/right hip area. After a few minutes of speaking to athletic trainer Jason Serbus, Darcy Kuemper took over as he headed to the room.
With Kuemper likely to start against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday regardless, it was likely Lindgren's last performance of the year, and he ended it in style with 33 saves on 36 shots (.916 save percentage).
Kuemper surrendered one goal after taking over, and the Bruins scored an empty-netter to make it a 5-2 game.
Tom Wilson & Dylan Strome Extend Point Streaks
After Jensen struck to make it a 2-1 game in the second, Wilson gave Washington another breath of life with his 11th goal of the season on a nice play in front.
Wilson's drive over these final games has been stellar as he's appeared to return to the form that he was in last season that led to a trip to the 2022 NHL All-Star Weekend and a 50-plus point campaign.
Meanwhile, Dylan Strome got the assist, extending his point streak to five games and adding to his career year.
Additional Ice Chips
- John Carlson recorded his 20th assist of the season and now has eight points in nine games since returning to the lineup.
- Craig Smith led with six shots and also got an ovation in his return to Boston.
- Beck Malenstyn had a team-leading eight hits.
- Garnet Hathaway scored in his first game against his old team.
- Henrik Borgstrom logged 8:10 in his first game with Washington and played mainly on the third line with Joe Snively and Evgeny Kuznetsov.