“WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” (Photo credit: Patrick McDermott)

Jason Chimera hasn’t scored a lot of goals this season — so few, in fact, that’s it’s become A Thing. Chimera markers are special occasions to be celebrated– like a John Carlson backcheck. But Thursday, in game one of the 2013 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, we got another special occasion.

Just 46 seconds after Marcus Johansson took Steve Oleksy‘s divine saucer pass and put it behind Henrik Lundqvist in the second period, Chimmer added another goal to Washington’s tally. Taking a pass from Mathieu Perreault, the Bald Bullet swept the puck towards the net from the blueline. It seemed as if Chimera was trying to set up a play for Matty P, who by then had parked himself in front of net. Instead, Chimera’s puck trickled lazily past King Henrik.

“He’s had some struggles as far as the regular season goes,” Troy Brouwer said of Chimera. “To see him score early on, get confidence, play well [is good]. He loves helping the team out, he loves playing hockey, and he did a great job tonight.”

2013, so far at least, has been a crummy year for Chimera. In 47 regular season games, he registered just three goals. Last season, in a full 82, he scored 20. But, as many players are quick to point out, everything starts over in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And in that case, Chimera is now tied for second in the league in goals.

In the most beautiful moment of childlike joy I’ve ever seen, Chimera threw his hands in the air after the puck crossed the line, screaming as he skated towards the Capitals bench, which was ready to welcome him into their grasp. Karl Alzner then skated in from behind, wrapping his arms around Chimera’s waist, and lifted the 213-pound, newly-minted 34-year-old off the ground.

Alzner bearhug vine.co/v/bQnteBQeVjg

— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) May 3, 2013

“I think he strained his back trying to pick me up!” Chimera said after the game. “It’s fun. This is what you live for as a young kid: playing the New York Rangers, scoring a goal. You can’t beat that.”