Charlie Lindgren did everything on Tuesday night to try to put a spoke in the wheels of the big Boston Bruins machine, the Washington Capitals goaltender going so far as to make a bare-handed save.
• Read also: Repechage: the CH can no longer improve its fate with the help of the Panthers
• Read also: Bruins break Canadiens record
Showing courage, the former Montreal Canadiens put the interests of his club, already eliminated from the playoffs, before his own health.
In the third period of the duel, the American found himself without his mitt and his stick after contact with a teammate. Getting up quickly, Lindgren had time to stretch his unprotected arm in front of Pavel Zacha’s throw. He then motioned for the official to stop play.
“He was amazing tonight [mardi], defender Nick Jensen said after the game. There have certainly been times when, personally, and I believe that many also think so, we could have helped him a little more. But he kept us in the game during this big game and it was a shame to see him fall in battle like that after what he showed.
Lindgren effectively gave way to Darcy Kuemper after this miraculous parade. He blocked 33 of 36 shots for the Bruins, who won 5-2.
The 2022-2023 season is the 29-year-old goalie’s first full season in the National Hockey League. He went 13-11-3 with a 3.05 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.