Capitals’ Play Between the Pipes: Deep. Not Yet Proven

Still fresh in the minds of those players that participated in last year’s playoff run is the bitter game 7 debacle at the hands of the arch rival Penguins.  You can forget about game 7 though.  The one reason why no pundit gave the Caps a chance at making a truly deep playoff run was the team’s goal tending. 

After failing to sign Cristobal Huet at the end of 2007-2008 season, the Caps brought in Jose Theodore to man the cage and provide the team with some stability in net.  With the departure of Huet and franchise face Ollie Kolzig, their lack of a veteran netminder became a major void in the Caps locker room.  The Caps signed Theodore to a 2-year, $9 million contract.  The purpose was for Theo to provide some stability in net while the organization nurtured their young draft picks Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth in the minors and overseas.  Now, by no means has this plan gone completely bust.  Theodore won 32 games for us last year.  But a tad less flattering was his GAA of 2.87 and save percentage of only .900.  Theo was at times inconsistent allowing goals at very inopportune times.  Theo showed both signs of greatness and signs of mediocrity.

Couple this with the hip injury to backup goaltender Brent John, coach Boudreau had no choice but to start the future a little early for Semyon Varlamov and Michael Neuvirth. 

Semyon Varlamov

Valamov began last season as the goaltender for the Hersey Bears, the Capitals’ AHL affiliate.  He quickly rose the ranks to the NHL making his first start against none other than the famed Montreal Canadiens.  In Montreal mind you.  It was after this game that I was certain Varlamov had a future in this league.  He performed admirably and posted a nifty 1-0 shutout stopping 23 of 24 shots.  We are all aware of how Varlamov’s season transpired.  A rocky stretch run to close the season by Theodore and an even rockier performance in game 1 against the Rangers opened the door the Varlamov to claim national attention.  Varlamov was tapped to save the season for the Caps.  Gabby made the near impossible decision to bench a former MVP for a 20 year old rookie with just 6 games of NHL experience.  Varlamov was thrust into a seemingly impossible situation.  Varlamov met this challenge head on and led the Caps to a series win and a game 7 in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Still waiting for his opportunity in the NHL was a 20 year old goaltender from the Czech Republic.  Michal Neuvirth didn’t even look old enough to play at the junior level, let alone the NHL level.  Neuvirth had spent most of last year with the Capitals ECHL affiliate, South Carolina Stingrays.  He was then promoted to AHL level and finally made his NHL debut on Valentine’s Day against the Lightning.  Neuvirth was solid, allowing only 1 goal in a Capitals victory.  He too, showed his future was bright. 

So now that you know a little history behind the Capitals goaltenders.  How does this all fit into the task at hand; winning a Stanley Cup?

First things first. This team goes nowhere without solid goal tending, as is the case with most teams. But this isn’t just any team, this is a team with Stanley Cup aspirations and we all know that unless you have solid goal tending, no team comes close to sipping champagne from Lord Stanley’s Cup.  Theodore has had a rather tumultuous 5 months.  First he loses his starting job to Varlamov during last year’s playoffs, then he loses his 2 month old son who was born prematurely. Gabby has publicly stated that Theo is the starting goalie entering camp, but will Theo be ready to undertake this challenge considering all he’s had to endure since the tragedy 1 month ago? Should we even expect him to be ready? I have absolute confidence that he will be ready to put this Caps team on his back as well as the massive expectations surrounding this team.  I think being pulled from last year’s playoffs was a wake-up call for Theo.  Just because your the highest paid goalie on the team does not mean your invincible. If you aren’t making the saves, somebody else is going to be given the opportunity to make the saves, and Varly took full advantage.  Varlamov should expect a heavy dose of playing time this year.  I expect Varly to make a run at the number job but but ultimately Theo starts the season as the number one goaltender, but his leash will not be very long.

Both Varlamov and Neuvirth are having a solid camp so far.  Ultimately, Neuvirth will see time in the NHL at some point this season.  You never know, a strong showing in the preseason could catapult him to a roster spot.  Unfortunately for Neuvirth, I see him being the number one man in Hersey again this year.  Neuvirth was the playoff MVP for the Calder Cup champions a season ago.  He is well on his way to becoming an NHL goaltender.  Remember, he is only 20 years old.  His time will come.

As of right now, the opening night roster will be Theodore and Varlamov with Theo getting the nod.  That first game will be no easy task as the Caps head up the east coast to take on the Bruins. 

What’s your take on the goaltending carousel in DC?  There are three goalies and two spots.  Which two will it be?