Joaquín receives a fantastic pass from Matt as the defenceman is leaving the ice to be replaced by Sam, and he runs with it, skating with more confidence than Steve would have had if he’d been in the rookie’s place, having taken that hard body check last period. Steve goes with him, swerving around Rumlow as they approach the Devils’ goal, and for a split second he thinks he’s made a terrible mistake, giving the large opponent a clear shot on Joaquín. He doesn’t go for him though, instead he skates past him and comes to an abrupt stop, sticking his knee out just as Bucky reaches the blue line, where Brock is waiting. Maybe he imagines it, but Steve is sure he hears a faint pop as he watches his friend’s knee twist in an unnatural way moments before Bucky flies through the air, landing hard on the ice. Time stops then, Steve’s heart stops beating, and his breath catches in his throat, but Bucky is back on his feet before any of the referees have realised what’s happened. He’s moving, but he’s slowed, and he’s trying his best not to put any weight on his right leg. Even so, he stubbornly makes his way over to where the puck is, barrelling his way through the players fighting for possession of it and somehow managing to dig it out and send it off to Steve. He’s got a clear shot on goal from where he’s standing, could easily try scoring himself, but that’s what’s expected of him. So instead, Steve looks around, his eyes finding Joaquín’s, and he sends it off to the rookie.A whistle is finally blown as the puck nestles into the net behind the keeper, and the visiting fans scream with joy as they realise their rookie is the one who scored, but Steve hardly notices. All he can see is the man now kneeling over in the corner behind the Devils’ goal, using his stick as a staff as he struggles to get back to his feet.

Joaquín receives a fantastic pass from Matt as the defenceman is leaving the ice to be replaced by Sam, and he runs with it, skating with more confidence than Steve would have had if he’d been in the rookie’s place, having taken that hard body check last period. Steve goes with him, swerving around Rumlow as they approach the Devils’ goal, and for a split second he thinks he’s made a terrible mistake, giving the large opponent a clear shot on Joaquín. He doesn’t go for him though, instead he skates past him and comes to an abrupt stop, sticking his knee out just as Bucky reaches the blue line, where Brock is waiting. Maybe he imagines it, but Steve is sure he hears a faint pop as he watches his friend’s knee twist in an unnatural way moments before Bucky flies through the air, landing hard on the ice. Time stops then, Steve’s heart stops beating, and his breath catches in his throat, but Bucky is back on his feet before any of the referees have realised what’s happened. He’s moving, but he’s slowed, and he’s trying his best not to put any weight on his right leg. Even so, he stubbornly makes his way over to where the puck is, barrelling his way through the players fighting for possession of it and somehow managing to dig it out and send it off to Steve. He’s got a clear shot on goal from where he’s standing, could easily try scoring himself, but that’s what’s expected of him. So instead, Steve looks around, his eyes finding Joaquín’s, and he sends it off to the rookie.A whistle is finally blown as the puck nestles into the net behind the keeper, and the visiting fans scream with joy as they realise their rookie is the one who scored, but Steve hardly notices. All he can see is the man now kneeling over in the corner behind the Devils’ goal, using his stick as a staff as he struggles to get back to his feet.