The hottest team in the NHL has a problem. Now that Semyon Varlamov has been recalled from Hershey, the Capitals might have to choose between two hot young goaltenders to back up Jose Theodore in the playoffs.
Can you feel the pity pouring in from around the league? Neither can we.
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But it is an issue the Caps must resolve. Theodore has been outstanding, but after his playoff flop last season there will be questions about how far he can take the Caps. Having a strong backup is a must.
Enter Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth. In reality, if Varlamov shows no effects from his injury and subsequent layoff, the job should be his.
Don’t forget, as well as Theodore is playing right now — 23 goals in his last 10 games, all wins — Varlamov was on fire early. He played in 16 games, went 12-1-2 and had a 2.21 goals-against average (which plummeted to 1.53 in his last nine games).
Plus, most importantly, he has playoff experience from rescuing the Caps last spring. The good thing for Washington is that, because of the hot streak, the Caps have 88 points; no one else in the Eastern Conference has more than 74. That cushion affords the Caps to give Varlamov time to prove his effectiveness — he only started two times in Hershey, his lone action since his knee injury in early December.
Meanwhile, the other option, Neuvirth has a 2.69 GAA in 16 games. The rest of the NHL likely will withhold its sympathy cards for the Caps.
