Jose Theodore Hurt (UPDATED)

Jose Theodore was hurt last night as the Caps got off the schnide with a 4-1 win over the Sharks.  Theodore appeared to be injured in the first period while attempting to cover up a loose puck in the crease.  Sharks forward Ryan Clowe fell and landed awkwardly on Theo in the process.  Although, the Caps are diagnosing it as an upper body injury this will surely have its affect on the goaltending situation.  Semyon Varlamov, who shutout the Sharks in the remaining two periods last night, will be called upon to carry the load while Theo is out.  Varly will get the start tomorrow night against the offensively inept Nashville Predators.  Varly is 6-0-1 in his regular season career as an NHL netminder and proved during last year’s playoff run that he is more than capable of carrying the load for any extended amount of time.

The bad news is that the loss of Theo comes at a time when he is playing his best hockey in his tenure as a Cap.  According the Theo, he is seeing the puck better than he has since his Vezina and Hart trophy winning year.

No word yet on how long Theo will be out.  I’ll provide an update as soon as the news breaks.

UPDATE

Per Tarik El-Bashir,  Jose Theodore has been diagnosed with back spasms and is expected to miss tomorrow night’s game against Nashville.  The injury isn’t expected to be serious.  Most likely filling in the backup role with be Brayden Holtby.  Holtby is currently playing with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL.  Theodore is hopeful to be back by Monday of next week.

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