Charlie Lindgren just gave up the most embarrassing goal of his professional career. In fact, let’s just say he pulled A Hagelin.
Moments after Dylan Strome tied the Capitals and Lightning 3-3 in the third period, Lindgren came out to the play the puck in the left faceoff circle. As he felt pressure, the Capitals goaltender turned and backhanded the puck into his own net as he attempted to clear the biscuit down the opposite side.
Sorry to steal your bit, Steve, but folks, that’s a dangit.
Lindgren’s misplay came as the puck seemed to bounce on him and stand up on its side, screwing up his angle as he attempted to knock the puck away.
After the own goal, a clearly peeved Lindgren collected the puck from the net and chucked it sassily into the Lightning crowd.
The goal was eventually awarded to Brayden Point, giving the Lightning forward a hat trick as he was the last player to touch the puck. Point did so while trying to collect a clear by Vasilevskiy along the side boards approximately 180 feet away from Lindgren.
Goal judges took took several minutes to review the tape. TNT’s Darren Pang even suggested that initially he thought the goal was Vasilevskiy’s. Tampa fans threw their hats during the next break in play once Point’s name was announced.
The Capitals were somehow able to get past Lindgren’s miscue, getting goals from John Carlson and Tom Wilson late to win 5-4.
