Michal Kempny waited seven months while he recovered from a hamstring injury. In his first game back he waited just four minutes to score.
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With a loose puck in front of Henrik Lundqvist, Kempny surged towards the play. TJ Oshie kicked the puck out of the slot and onto Kempny’s stick. With a couple quick touches, Kempny scored his first goal since February.
Michal Kempny scores in his first game back! Huge. 2-1 Caps. pic.twitter.com/qdyKnApb08
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) October 18, 2019
Kempny’s goal came just a couple shifts after a high hit from Rangers forward Brendan Lemieux. Lemieux put a high hit Kempny, who is playing in his first game since March 20.
You can see Lemieux’s shoulder connecting with Kempny’s chin.
Brendan Lemieux with a head shot on Michal Kempny. Kempny is playing his first game tonight after missing nearly seven months due to a torn left hamstring. pic.twitter.com/5cAAyTbI1a
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) October 18, 2019
Washington’s other Czech, defender Radko Gudas, could not sanction Lemieux’s hit and started a zápas.
Lemieux targets Kempny, Gudas takes exception 🥊 pic.twitter.com/rTivgP4kc0
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) October 18, 2019
Though Gudas and Kempny are just now playing in their first game as Caps together, they have a history with the Czech national team.
Kempny committed a penalty on his next shift and scored his goal not long after that, so he seemed alright after the hit.
