Despite missing the first three weeks of the season with a shoulder injury and playing 69 games overall, Lindholm scored 13 goals to leapfrog his previous career high of 10 from two seasons prior. Those 13 goals came on just 131 shots, giving him a shooting percentage of 9.9% that ranked fourth in the NHL among defensemen who played more than 50 games.
The 24-year-old Lindholm significantly boosted that goal total by giving himself an early Christmas present on December 21 against the New York Islanders in Brooklyn. Not only did he notch his first career hat trick, but the third goal came 4:03 into overtime to give Anaheim a 5-4 victory.
Three months later, Lindholm would have his second overtime game-winner of the campaign, this one in an impressive comeback in Edmonton. It wasn't quite at the level of the Comeback on Katella against the Oilers in the 2017 playoffs, but the Ducks wiped out a two-goal third period deficit on two Adam Henrique strikes, the last coming with just 1:29 left in regulation. That set the stage for Lindholm, who pounced on an intended pass from close friend and former roommate Rickard Rakell before sweeping the puck past goalie Cam Talbot.
Lindholm added another goal during an unsuccessful First Round playoff series vs. San Jose, but his offensive production came at no sacrifice to his work in the defensive end. He still remains an exceptional skater and puck mover with unparalleled defensive skills. He and Josh Manson were frequently paired against opponents' top forward units, and Lindholm responded with a plus-16 rating that was his highest since 2014-15. That was the sophomore season for Lindholm, whose plus-54 rating over his first two NHL campaigns ranked second in the league and first among defensemen over that span.
If there was a tiny silver lining for Anaheim's early exit from the playoffs, it was that it gave Lindholm and Rakell a chance to represent their home country of Sweden in the IIHF World Championships in Denmark. Lindholm had six assists (tied for second among tournament defensemen) and a plus-6 rating (tied for third) as he and Rakell helped Team Sweden to the gold medal.
HIGHLIGHT
For the signature goal of Lindholm's 2017-18 season, look no further than the one that gave him the first hat trick of his NHL career. With the Ducks and Islanders skating 3-on-3 in the OT session, Lindholm found some space near the right wing circle and unleashed a wrist shot that got past goalie Jaroslav Halak and snuck inside the near post.
