When the Washington Capitals walked out for the second period, they were down 3-0. When they left the ice for the second break, they were 5-3 ahead after making an insane return.
Zdeno Chara scored the final goal of the period – his first as capital – after tearing a shot off the point and hitting an overwhelming Semyon Varlamov clean.
What happened next was by far the best moment of the Capitals’ 2020-21 season.
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Chara was tampered with by literally all his teammates on the bench and touched by an insane team celebration.
Everyone hugs Dad! pic.twitter.com/PMwowVTHkF
NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) 29 January 2021
SO MUCH PAPA ENERGY.
BIG SEA WITH A BIG FIRST PURPOSE #CapsIsles pic.twitter.com/Jtboyg8hvk
– NBCSports Washington (@NBCSWashington) 29 January 2021
The goal was Chara’s 659th point of his career in his 1,561th game in the NHL. Earlier in the period, Chara got the primary help on Conor Sheary’s second goal of the game.
Zdeno Chara scores his first goal as Capital to extend the Capitals’ lead to 5-3. This indicates Chara’s 206th career goal, the third most goals among active defenders (Shea Weber: 219; Brent Burns: 212).
– CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) 29 January 2021
How to go, Big Z! Keep hammering it off the point, young man.
đŸ’£ pic.twitter.com/QiZ2XGQPBM
NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) 29 January 2021
RMNB coverage of caps against islands
Screenshot thanks to NBC Sports Washington