As Carolina forward Tyson Jost ripped a shot on net while racing into the offensive zone midway through the second period, Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren made a split-second decision. Rather than attempting to “get big” in hopes of deflecting the shot aside, Lindgren pulled off an absurd acrobatic windmill save that electrified the building and earned him a standing ovation from those in attendance.
The feat became even more impressive upon discovery that the netminder was so under the weather that he was vomiting during intermission. Lindgren, who had 23 saves on the night, was rewarded for his heroic efforts as Washington earned a 3-1 win over Carolina. Forwards Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael scored crucial goals in the final minute of the first and second periods, respectively, to propel the Capitals to victory and snap a two-game losing streak.
Jakub Vrana added an insurance goal for the Caps, who improved to 10-4-2 at Capital One Arena this season. Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis spoiled Lindgren’s shutout bid with 9:38 left, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
Despite a strong showing from goalie Pyotr Kochetkov, who stopped 19 of 22, Carolina’s recent road woes continued. The Canes have been outscored 21-10 in regulation while dropping five consecutive away game (0-4-1). The Capitals, meanwhile, won their ninth game in 13 without injured captain Alex Ovechkin. Coach Spencer Carbery ruled out a possible Ovechkin return before the Christmas break, but the 39-year-old could be back before the new year.
