Many notable things happened during the Capitals’ 6-3 victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday. The Capitals recovered from a 3-0 disadvantage, scored six unanswered goals and found a way to win, despite the fact that many of their stars were out. But it was the fifth goal of the Capitals night that was special and something you will never forget. It was so remarkable that it gave the game a sense of season definition.
At the end of the second period, 43 years Zdeno Chara scored on a rocket from the tip, giving him his first goal as Capital. Chara turned to the bench to celebrate and was quickly engulfed by literally everyone on the team in a giant hug.
Everyone hug Daddy! pic.twitter.com/PMwowVTHkF
– NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 29, 2021
After the game, Chara was asked about the timing.
“Obviously, I am very excited to have achieved the first goal as a member of Washington Capitals,” said Chara. “I turned to the guys at the bank right away. I just wanted to share this joy and enthusiasm with them, as they did a really incredible job, welcoming me and making this transition as easy and simple as possible for me. Therefore, I owe them this and I cannot thank them enough to accept me in the group and receive me as they did. It’s a great group of guys. We are having fun. We are working hard and striving to be better. That’s what this is about. I obviously didn’t see it by the views you saw, but I can’t wait to see it. “
Friday morning, Chara, who doesn’t post much on his Instagram page, posted two photos of Mondo’s goal hug with the following caption.
“There is nothing like team sports,” said Chara. “Thank you to all my companions for this special moment.”
Chara pretty much did everything in the league. The legendary team captain in the Stanley Cup, beat Norris as the league’s best defender and participated in seven All-Star Games. But leaving a team that you led during your 14 best seasons in the NHL is something else entirely. Leaving home is difficult. It would have been natural for Chara to doubt whether this one-year experience with Washington would work or whether he could still play at a high level, especially in this strange year of pandemic.
Now there is no doubt. So far, Z has dressed up in every game for the capitals and it looks like he has “a lot of gas left over”.
Chara’s goal in a strange way was as special as Alex Ovechkin’s 700th goal. What Z is doing at this age in a new team is unprecedented. It is worth celebrating.
RMNB coverage of Caps vs Islands
Screenshots courtesy of NBC Sports Washington