Garret Sparks gets choked up talking about his first NHL win in almost three years (w/video)

It was an emotional night for goaltender Garret Sparks of the LA Kings. Sparks won his first NHL game since March of 2019 with a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals. Sparks suffered a concussion during practice with the Toronto Maple Leafs in January of 2019 and has struggled ever since. He talked about his long road back following the game, and choked back tears while doing it.

"I've had to retool everything that I do," said Sparks. "I just had to get my life back, you know? It's more than just hockey. I was...it's a lot of work. It was worth it, though. It's worth it."

"I was having a really good season, and it kind of derailed my season there, and the wheels just fell off,'' he said, referring to the concussion with the Leafs. "You've got to work your way back. I was starting in the East Coast League this time last year. I was making $600 a week. I was having a good time. It was crazy to be on NHL ice again, playing against the greatest goal-scorer of all time and having an answer.''

Sparks played one game for the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2019-20 season. He did not play in the NHL at all in 2020-21. Kings coach Todd MacLellan was thrilled for him.

"He's had some real highs and some real lows,'' McLellan said. "For the group to play hard and come back with him, I think for him, and he in turn, playing as well as he did tonight, it's a chapter in a book.''