Returns to winning ways

Starting in Pittsburgh

Charlie Lindgren is 31 years old and in his 10th season of professional hockey and never had a playing partner who also catches with his right hand before the Washington Capitals traded for fellow right-catching goalie Logan Thompson on June 29.

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) blocks a shot by Pittsburgh Penguins' Danton Heinen (43) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Lindgren had won his previous two starts, but he never got it going Thursday and suffered his first loss in regulation since Jan. 25, when he stopped 23 of 25 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Canucks. Lindgren has been rotating between the pipes with Logan Thompson and has posted a 3-2-1 record with a 2.

Lindgren will get the nod Sunday in the second leg of a back-to-back after Logan Thompson started Saturday's win over the Penguins. The 31-year-old Lindgren is 12-9-3 with a .900 save percentage and 2.

The last time the Washington Capitals faced the Calgary Flames on the road, coach Spencer Carbery thought they were "just okay." After scoring 15 goals in 24 hours in their return from the 4 Nations break,

For as well as they have played all season, we all know the Washington Capitals aren’t going to win every game. It’s just the winnable ones that bother me the most.

The Calgary Flames held off a third-period comeback from the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin to open their six-game road trip with a 3-1 win.

Thompson will be back between the pipes after dropping two of his last three starts (both in overtime) prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Overall, Thompson is an impressive 24-2-5 with a .921 save percentage and 2.23 GAA in his first season with the Caps.

The Washington Capitals are in a class of their own in the Eastern Conference this season. With 24 games remaining in the regular season, Washington’s 84 points are the only remaining challenger to the Winnipeg Jets’ 87-point total for the NHL’s Presidents’ Trophy.