Caps Laugh Off Lindgren’s Own Goal, Rally to Thrilling Victory Over Lightning
Sometimes, sports give us moments so bizarre, so jaw-dropping, that you can’t help but laugh. That’s exactly what happened Wednesday night when Washington Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren committed what he himself called “the worst mistake” of his hockey career. But here’s the kicker: the Capitals didn’t just survive the blunder—they thrived, rallying to a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Let’s set the scene. The game was tied 3-3 in the third period, and Lindgren, under no pressure whatsoever, attempted to play the puck behind him. Instead, he somehow managed to fire it directly into his own net. Yes, you read that right—an own goal. The Lightning suddenly had a 4-3 lead at 7:25 of the third period, and the Capitals’ six-game road winning streak looked to be in serious jeopardy.
But here’s where the story takes a turn for the incredible. Instead of crumbling under the weight of Lindgren’s mistake, the Capitals rallied. Just three minutes later, John Carlson stepped up and delivered, tying the game with 9:30 left on the clock. Then, with the game hanging in the balance, Tom Wilson came through in the clutch, scoring a power-play goal with just 3:26 remaining in regulation. The Capitals had turned disaster into triumph, securing their sixth straight road win in the process.
“You’ve Got Two Choices”: Lindgren’s Redemption
After the game, Lindgren was refreshingly candid about his blunder. “You’ve obviously got two choices in that moment: You can either go in your shell or you can go and battle,” he said. “It wasn’t fun in the moment, but the guys rallied around me and found a way to get a big win.”
And rally they did. Despite Tampa Bay holding leads of 2-0, 3-2, and 4-3, the Capitals refused to back down. Lindgren, who finished the game with 24 saves, credited his teammates for their resilience and ability to laugh off his mistake. “When I made that big mistake, we all pretty much laughed it off,” he said. “Even me, I chucked that puck out of the rink and I kind of chuckled to myself. It was obviously the worst mistake I’ve probably ever made in my life in terms of on ice. I don’t know what I was thinking. … The guys picked me up and I’ve got a lot of respect for those guys.”
Locker Room Camaraderie: Turning a Gaffe Into Gold
In a testament to the Capitals’ team chemistry, Lindgren’s teammates didn’t just forgive his mistake—they celebrated it. After the game, the team awarded Lindgren their gold chain, a symbolic honor given to the player of the game. The moment was captured in a tweet from the Capitals’ official account, showing just how much fun the team had with the situation:
THIS. TRIP.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/s7nmKtsdOC
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 28, 2024
“If we weren’t a close team, we could’ve been frustrated and kind of packed it in, mailed it in,” Lindgren said. “I knew there was no chance. This team, we’re too good. There’s too good a guys in the locker room here, and we found a way to get it done. It was a pretty sweet victory, I’m not going to lie.”
Key Takeaways From the Capitals’ Comeback
Here are three major takeaways from this unforgettable game:
- Resilience is key: The Capitals showed incredible mental toughness, refusing to let Lindgren’s mistake define the game.
- Team chemistry matters: The way the Capitals rallied around Lindgren speaks volumes about their locker room culture.
- Big players step up in big moments: John Carlson and Tom Wilson delivered when it mattered most, proving why they’re key pieces of this team.
Wednesday’s victory wasn’t just another win for the Capitals—it was a statement. It showed that this team has the grit, the talent, and the camaraderie to overcome even the most bizarre setbacks. And for Lindgren, it was a night he’ll never forget—for better or worse.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
