Charlie Lindgren Pulls Off Michael Jordan-Esque Performance, Battles Through Illness For Save Of The Year & Huge Win For Capitals Over Hurricanes

WASHINGTON — Charlie Lindgren's teammates didn't really know what they were witnessing in the Washington Capitals' Friday night win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

They saw their teammate, who had been dealing with an illness all game long, throw up during intermissions then focus on staying hydrated and doing everything he could to stay dialed in. And in the second period, watched him pull off the save of the year — one that can't be pleasant when down with a sickness.

"It kind of caught me off guard," Matt Roy, who was right in front of the net when it happened, said.

Lindgren sprawled across his crease and then pulled off a full cartwheel while snatching a Tyson Jost shot out of midair to keep his team in front — and completely turn the game in D.C.'s favor.

"I've seen something like that when I play NHL on Xbox, not in real life. He's been phenomenal for us," Aliaksei Protas said.

"I can't describe it. It was amazing, looked like Dominik Hasek out there... it got the building going," Vrana said, adding, "I've seen some real good saves. You remember, obviously 2018, right? Braden Holtby. I saw some amazing saves, but this one was amazing too."

The 31-year-old added 25 more saves for good measure en route to a 3- 1 victory, all while dealing with an illness that could have held him out of the lineup.

Lindgren has played through sicknesses before and told The Hockey News that the key is staying hydrated and — if needed — Pepto-Bismol and other remedies you can find on the fly.

Whatever the case, it helped him to a truly impressive performance reminiscent of Michael Jordan's famous flu game. that ultimately, propelled D.C. back to the top of the Eastern Conference.

"It obviously sucks. He made a great save. I did everything I could to kind of put it where I wanted it," Jost said of the stop. "He made a circus save, so tip your hat to him, I guess. It's frustrating.”