Some may argue there isn’t much of a point in watching Habs games after a once-promising season turned into a maddening plunge to the bottom of the standings.
But pay attention Thursday night – the Habs’ final road game of the season, against the Carolina Hurricanes, will feature a rookie in net who may become very familiar come the fall.
The feeling is that St. Cloud State University graduate Charlie Lindgren, acquired at the end of March, is good enough to be the backup goalie behind Carey Price next season.
“Obviously [I’m] very excited. It's an opportunity as a hockey player that you dream about. When you get the opportunity you want to make the most of it,” he said.
Lindgren had a .925 save percentage and was considered to be one of the top two prospects in the college game in net. Lindgren played in 40 games and won 30 of them last season, posting a sparkling 2.13 goals against average. But facing NHL shooters is not the same.
“You definitely want to show your teammates that you’ve worked hard to be here and you deserve to be here. That's definitely a big thing,” he said.
Lindgren is also excited because his family will be in the stands in Raleigh to watch his NHL debut.
The game against the ‘Canes will be the 22-year-old’s only one of this season.
“Both Carey and Mike, I can't say enough how great they have been to me. And just how much I have learned from them. Just being here a week and a half I’ve learned so much and I’ve become a better goaltender,” he said.
But Condon better watch his back, because come September Lindgren may make a compelling case to replace Condon as Price’s backup.
