The Capitals will not start goaltender Olaf Kolzig in net for the regular-season opener tonight at Atlanta.
With three games scheduled in four days to begin the year, coach Glen Hanlon has decided to go with back-up goalie Brent Johnson instead. Kolzig will start Saturday’s home opener against Carolina and again on Monday afternoon against the New York Islanders.
“It was a decision they made after looking at the numbers and how well Johnny has played down there,” Kolzig said. “I’ll be ready to go on Saturday.”
Kolzig has started every season opener since 1998, except one — he missed the first three games in 2000 after knee surgery. Craig Billington started in his place that year. Kolzig didn’t start any of the four games at Atlanta last season and is 3-8 vs. the Thrashers over the last two years with a 4.02 goals against average. Johnson, meanwhile, went 2-1-1 at Phillips Arena in 2006-07, allowing just 10 goals on 123 shots. He also earned the Caps’ lone win at Atlanta in 2005-06.
