Washington Capitals' Rookie Rises to The Occasion

Simeon Varmalov, the Washington Capitals' young netminder, made his NHL debut on Saturday night against perhaps professional hockey’s most storied franchise.

The Montreal Canadiens can boast about the glorious gets of their greatest goaltender (Patrick Roy) all they want, but this game belonged to the rookie.

Varlamov stopped 32 shots for a 2-1 victory in front of 20,000 screaming fans at Bell Center.

At 20 years old, he became the youngest Russian goaltender to start an NHL game, and the first goalie to win his first game since New York Rangers’ Hardy Astrom, accomplished the feat on February 25, 1978.

More importantly, he earned the respect of current Capitals puck punisher, Brent Johnson.

“I’ve been impressed by him since I first saw him," said a spirited Johnson.  “He has explosive speed.  I think that’s probably his biggest attribute.  He’s like Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.  He’s quick side-to-side, and he’s always in your face.  He makes you put in by him, and he doesn’t give up a lot of the net.”

Some of that gritty play is what the Capitals are hoping to exploit as the season wears on.

However, Washington Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau intends to take a cautious approach with Varlamov.

His next start is up in the air as “Johnnie” will be in net for tonight’s matchup versus the New York Islanders.

It benefits the Caps in a big way if Varlamov can continue to improve on a game by game basis, because Jose Theodore is out with a hip flexor.

Officially, Theodore is listed on the injury report as day-to-day.

Since going through their worst rash of injuries in team history, the Caps are getting healthy again.

They have won three games in a row, and five out of their last six contests.

They are third in the Eastern Conference standings with 39 points, trailing only the Rangers (42 points) and the Boston Bruins (46 points) respectively.

Just a week ago, the Caps had to wonder if they were going to have to keep the Hershey Bears on speed dial.

Boudreau was like a magician, making moves to put together competitive lines as he was missing the heart and soul of his team.

Before the return of forward Alex Semin (back) and defenseman Tom Poti (groin) for Wednesday’s game against league-leading Boston, the Capitals were down ten players who were on the opening day roster.

Star forward “Alexander the Great” Eight Ovechkin has seen his top line shifted between various teammates to accommodate the lack of able bodies.

That was then and this is now.

Brent Johnson has been a stabilizing force in the goal crease, shutting down opposing offensive-minded opponents with increasing confidence.

His totals for the season are as follows:

9-4-2 win-loss record

2.36 goals against average

.922 save percentage

He is facing down opponent's scoring attacks with a steady stick and glove with relative ease.

The more immediate concern is the inconsistent play of Jose Theodore.

His .888 save percentage and 3.08 goals against average rank him at the bottom of the NHL.

Resting with a nagging injury is not going to bolster those totals anytime soon.

Boudreau is intent on allowing Varlamov to play as much as needed.

Said a giddy “Gabby,” “We think he has a bright future. “We’d like to see him play more.”

The plan is to keep Simeon as Johnson’s backup until Theodore comes back from his hip injury.

In thirteen games for the Hershey Bears, Varlamov has posted a solid 10-3-0 record, a 909 save percentage and 2.34 goals against average.

Boudreau and his staff are impressed with the rookie’s studious nature.

Simeon, immediately after Saturday’s victory, graded his performance by watching the game on his laptop.

“I felt my movements were sharp,” he said through his fellow countryman and teammate Sergei Federov.  “I was not nervous, I like the way I played on that high of a level.”

It remains to be seen when he will earn his second start.

I can say with an honest heart that if the future involves Varlamov, the Capitals are in prime position to be a playoff contender for years to come.

Notes:  Nicklas Backstrom left Saturday’s game with a migraine headache, but is expected back on the first line versus the Islanders.

Sergei Federov (ankle) and Tyler Sloan (foot) will not suit up and did not skate in yesterday’s practice.