While the Capitals' goaltending situation seemed to be sorting itself out nicely with Jose Theodore playing well to start the year and assuming the No. 1 role, but that came undone when the veteran's back spasms caused him to have to leave Thursday's game against San Jose.
To his credit, Semyon Varlamov showed none of the jitters that had led to him losing the top spot, as the rookie faced a tough San Jose squad for 40 minutes and stopped all 15 shots he faced.
Should Theodore's issue not dissipate by Saturday, the team likely will recall Michal Neuvirth from Hershey, giving the team a taste of its future with the two young netminders. However, with the Capitals having a couple of days off before a brief two-game road trip through Georgia and Long Island kicks off next Thursday.
With Theodore in a contract year and playing well - and potentially being an attractive rental for teams needing help at the deadline - it will be important to see if the Capitals feel confident in their young tandem to take a chance and lose Theodore's veteran presence, or if they feel they need to retain him in order to remain a Cup contender.
Theodore has posted a 2.67 GAA so far this year with a .910 save percentage, and at times has been brilliant for Washington, but would free up ample cap room should the Capitals decide to deal him and bring in an experienced defenseman to boost the team's chances.
Varlamov, who was tremendous in last year's playoffs, hasn't been quite the same in his three appearances this year, although his strong performance lowered his goals-against to 3.58 and raising his save percentage to .887. He also has been brilliant at times, but he has been vulnerable to high shots and has shown a tendency in the preseason and regular season this year to allow goals in bunches.
As for Neuvirth, his chance to make the opening night roster was undone by injury, but he will be making his first start of the season for the Bears Friday night in Glens Falls, N.Y. against the Adirondack Phantoms. If he is healthy enough and Theodore can't skate Saturday against Nashville, he likely get called up to back up Varlamov if he is healthy enough. If not, Jason Bacashihua will get a chance to see his first NHL action since playing 38 games for the Blues between 2005 and 2007.
Theodore's back spasms certainly will be worth watching to see how the young goalies perform with their chance and make a tough decision for George McPhee at the trade deadline.
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