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Wild Scene as Lindgren Wins Shootout After Injury

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Jan 30, 2026 12:51 PM ET

Charlie Lindgren delivered one of the wildest “hockey guy” moments of the 2025-26 season Thursday night in Detroit, pulling out one of the gutsiest performances in recent NHL memory. He was in goal as the Washington Capitals pulled out a shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings.

In a chaotic showdown with Detroit, Lindgren was injured in the final seconds of overtime in a 3-3 game. With Washington already missing starter Logan Thompson, who was sidelined after taking a puck to the mask earlier in the week, the Caps were suddenly staring at a nightmare scenario.

But Lindgren, who probably should have come off the ice, wasn’t about to bail on his teammates.

Despite clearly tweaking something and goaltending at far less than 100 percent, the Capitals goaltender stayed in the crease for the shootout in what turned into an absolutely insane finish. Detroit scored on its first two attempts, but Washington answered both times. Then, on the Red Wings’ third shot, Dylan Larkin rang one off the crossbar.

Washington went a perfect 3-for-3 in the shootout to steal the win, with Lindgren gutting it out. He finished with 18 saves in regulation and overtime, plus one stop in the shootout to earn his eighth win of the season.

Lindgren Helped Off The Ice By Teammates

The scene at the end of the game showed how much pain Lindgren finished the game in.

After the win, he could barely move and had to be carried off the ice by teammates John Carlson and Justin Sourdif. The tunnel video afterward showed his teammates hooting and hollering his praises, and demonstrated just how much the Capitals respect him. They understood how much he battled through the injury.

The Capitals haven’t yet revealed the seriousness of Lindgren’s injury, but one thing is clear: Charlie Lindgren put on a show.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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