John Carlson was unable to suit up against the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday due to a lower-body injury. With the team’s captain, Alex Ovechkin, already out, the Capitals debuted a new leadership team out on the ice.
Future Hall of Famer Zdeno Chara was named an alternate captain for the first time with the Capitals. Chara joined Nicklas Backstrom and TJ Oshie as the other alternates.
Zdeno Chara is wearing the third 'A' for the Capitals tonight with John Carlson out. Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie with the other two 'A's. (Reminder no Ovechkin still)
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) April 29, 2021
Chara previously spent the last 14 years as the Boston Bruins’ captain from 2006 to 2020.
A to Zee pic.twitter.com/O9XqHBcEJ0
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 29, 2021
During that time, Chara became the first Slovak player and the second European player (Nicklas Lidstrom) to lead a team to a Stanley Cup (2011).
The only other player to do so since then is Alex Ovechkin.
Chara, 44, is the oldest player in the NHL this season.
Headline photo courtesy of the @Capitals
