Capitals’ Charlie Lindgren shoots puck into own net

That’s not what Charlie Lindgren had in mind for a goalie goal.

Midway through the third period of Wednesday’s contest versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Washington Capitals goaltender attempted to backhand the puck behind the net, however his miscalculation saw him steer the puck into his own goal.

Lightning center Brayden Point was credited with the tally. However, it was not all bad for Lindgren, as the Capitals came back to claim a 5-4 win in regulation, with the netminder making 24 saves en route to the victory.

Wednesday’s error aside, it has been a solid season for Lindgren, who in his third campaign with the Capitals has a 5-5-0 record alongside a .901 save percentage and 2.64 goals-against average. Last season, Lindgren assumed the starting duties with Washington and finished the year with a career high of 25 wins coming in 50 appearances.

A native of Lakeville, Minn., Lindgren played three seasons with the NCAA’s St. Cloud State Huskies before signing with the Montreal Canadiens as an undrafted free agent in 2016. In all, the 30-year-old goaltender has made 120 career appearances with the Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, and Capitals, putting together a 58-44-12 record with a .908 save percentage and 2.78 goals-against average. Lindgren joined the Capitals in 2022 after signing a three-year, $1.1-million per season deal as an unrestricted free agent.

Lindgren’s pro career also counts 171 total appearances counting stops with the St. John’s IceCaps/Laval Rocket and Springfield Thunderbirds franchises, the minor-league affiliates of the Canadiens and Blues, respectively.

Following Wednesday’s victory, the Capitals now sit 15-6-1 on the season, and only a pair of points behind the Carolina Hurricanes for top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals won their past two outings and will look to push their win streak to three when the club returns home Friday to take on the New York Islanders.