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NEW YORK — Following the Mets’ 13-5 win over the Nationals on Monday night at Citi Field, Francisco Lindor sat at his locker humming “Slapshot,” the song that plays at Madison Square Garden every time the NHL’s Rangers score a goal.
Earlier this month, Lindor went to Madison Square Garden with a group of his teammates, sitting in a private box to take in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Penguins. Although Lindor has never laced up skates in his life, he has become a fan of the game.
So when the Rangers upset the Carolina Hurricanes, 6-2, in Game 7 of the conference semifinals on Monday, Lindor was well aware. Each time the Rangers scored, “Slapshot” blared from the Citi Field speakers as the Mets showed the highlight on the center-field scoreboard.
“It’s fantastic,” Lindor said, quipping that he had plenty of time to sneak peeks at the board during the Mets’ three-hour, 29-minute victory. “I still don’t know much about the hockey game. But I’m a fan of seeing athletes perform at the highest level. And right now, watching them is special.”
Lindor also went out of his way to say how much he enjoys “Slapshot.” He would love for the Mets to implement something similar at Citi Field, perhaps playing an original fight song after his team hits home runs.
Within the Mets’ clubhouse, Lindor is far from the only Rangers fan. For the team’s Game 7 outing against the Penguins, the group included Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo, James McCann, Chris Bassitt, Luis Guillorme, Tomás Nido and others. And the fever is spreading. When manager Buck Showalter entered Citi Field’s press conference room after the Mets’ game on Monday, he immediately began peppering reporters with questions about the Rangers.
But as a Puerto Rico native with little previous exposure to hockey, Lindor is particularly enjoying this ride as a newcomer to the fan base. When he played for the Indians, Lindor did travel to Columbus, Ohio, to take in a Blue Jackets game, but he admitted: “I just don’t understand the game. I don’t know what’s happening.”
That point was underscored the time he gave roller blading a shot.
“I was like this,” Lindor said, laughing as he splayed his legs at an awkward angle. “After that, I was like, ‘It’s not for me.’”
For now, watching others skate is more appealing. Last year at Citi Field, Lindor met Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, who exchanged his hockey sweater for a Lindor jersey. Lindor wore his gift to MSG earlier this month and hopes he has an opportunity to return.
“You can feel the vibe,” he said. “You can see when people come to the [Mets] games with Rangers jerseys. It’s special.”
