Forward Max Pacioretty scored his first point with the Washington Capitals in his team's 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.
It was the 35-year-old American's third game with his new team. The former Montreal Canadiens captain has come a long way, suffering two Achilles tendon tears in the last two years. He had also thought that he would be forced to retire after the second breakup in January 2023.
After the win over the Kings, Pacioretty became emotional when players asked him to speak in the locker room.
“It's been difficult for me the last two years, guys,” he said with a tremor in his voice. If I've learned anything, it's that you shouldn't take anything for granted. This game showed that we have a special group here. Let’s make sure we never take this for granted.”
Watch the video above.