Tampa Bay Lightning star Brayden Point achieved the fifth hat-trick of his NHL career in a truly bizarre fashion during Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Washington Capitals. Point’s third goal was awarded after Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren inadvertently played the puck into his own net while attempting to clear it. Despite this peculiar moment, the game’s outcome wasn’t decided by the blunder, as Tom Wilson sealed the victory for the Capitals with a late power-play goal.
Lindgren’s Blunder and Redemption
Reflecting on the unusual own-goal, Lindgren admitted, “It was obviously the worst make I’ve probably ever made in terms of on ice … I don’t know what I was thinking.” However, Lindgren redeemed himself by playing a pivotal role in the Caps’ victory. He stopped every shot after the misstep, finishing with an impressive 25 saves and proving his resilience under pressure. His team’s support following the mistake highlighted the camaraderie that carried them to victory.
A Hat-Trick Overshadowed by a Tough Loss
For Point, the milestone hat-trick was bittersweet. “Mistakes happen in the game,” he said of Lindgren’s error. “He kind of threw it in there, but he made some great saves down the stretch.” Despite Tampa Bay’s strong start, with Point and Michael Eyssimont contributing early goals, the Capitals’ scorers — including Andrew Mangiapane, Aliaksei Protas, and Dylan Strome — mounted a comeback to tie the game at 3-3 before ultimately taking the lead.
Capitals Take the Win and Extend Their Season Record
With the victory, the Capitals advanced to 15-6-1 this season, while the Lightning’s record now stands at 11-8-2. Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper, marking his 900th NHL game, noted, “I thought tonight, both teams probably deserved a point … everything was pretty much even.” Despite the loss, Point’s performance remains a standout, reminding fans of his remarkable skill and determination.
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