The Washington Capitals Have a Big Playoff Question to Answer: Who's in Goal?

Just a few weeks ago, it seemed clear that Jose Theodore had seized the number one goalie role for the Washington Capitals. 

As recently as March 22nd, the Washington Post blog “Capitals Insider” reported:

“Jose Theodore has been playing so well of late that he's making Coach Bruce Boudreau's decision as to whether he would be the team's No. 1 goaltender all but a foregone conclusion.”

From January 13th to March 24th, Theodore was on a tear, going 19 games without a regulation loss, the longest such streak in Caps history and the best for any NHL net-minder in a decade. 

Over that 10 week period, Theodore had a 2.42 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.

Meanwhile, Semyon Varlamov, the surprise sensation of last year’s playoffs, was having his difficulties. 

After compiling an awesome 12-1-2 record in his first 16 appearances, Varlamov was sidelined with a series of injuries that came on the heels of a shutout victory over Tampa on December 7th.

Following a nine week absence, Varly finally returned to the Capitals lineup on February 11th, just before the Olympic break. 

From that night, a decidedly unimpressive showing in a 6-5 loss to Ottawa, through a March 18th loss to Carolina in overtime, Varly posted a 1-2-2 record with a 3.93 goals against average and .856 save percentage.  

It seemed like the Capitals starting goalie for the playoffs was certain to be Theodore, while Varly would be the understudy.

All of a sudden, however, the tide seems to have reversed. The current has started flowing against Theodore and in favor of Varlamov. 

In each of his last two starts, Theodore has surrendered three goals on the first ten shots.  He has given up eight goals on 32 shots in those two games for a dismal .750 save percentage. 

Although Theodore's unbeaten in regulation streak has now hit 20 games, he has not looked sharp in either of his last two outings.

As Boudreau put it after pulling Jose in the first period of the Calgary game, “"I just thought he was fighting the puck every shot, I just didn't think he had it ….”

At the same time, Varlamov has started to shine again. Although his record over his last three decisions is only a mediocre 1-1-1, he has posted excellent stats: 1.74 goals against average and .921 save percentage.  Varly’s performance behind the net now feels more like the goalie who owned similarly outstanding numbers earlier this season. 

In a shootout loss at Carolina last week, Varlamov stopped 29 of 31 shots. After a shaky start, in which he gave up two goals on the first seven shots, Varly was outstanding for the remainder of the game, making 24 straight saves through the end of overtime.

Taking over for a shell-shocked Theodore in the first period against Calgary, Varly made 10 stops on 12 shots during the remainder of the game.  He gave up a soft goal with less than a minute left in the period, but after that stopped everything else the Flames had to offer— except for a shot by Rene Borque that took an odd bounce off the goalie stick and popped over Varly before dropping into the net.

Last night, Varly played perhaps his best game since his injury last December. He stopped 19 of 20 shots by an Atlanta team desperate to make the playoffs, including a first period breakaway by fellow Russian Maxim Afinogenov. 

Coach Boudreau reflected on Varlamov’s performance against Atlanta: “The chances they had were good ones and he was up to the task.” 

With only five games left until the end of the regular season, the goalie situation in Washington continues to intrigue.  It is almost certain that Coach Boudreau will continue hold his cards close to his vest. 

Don’t expect a decision on the Capitals starting goalie for the playoffs until after the final horn blows on game number 82.