Goaltending Controversy?

Game 1 was clearly a disappointing loss from the Caps perspective. The Caps outplayed the Rangers in nearly every facet of the game with the exception of goaltending. Jose Theodore was too far back in the net on all four goals that were scored by the Rangers. He seldomly challenged shooters and simply did not make a big save in the game. The last three goals scored by the Rangers were good shots but when Theodore went down into the butterfly, the targets above his glove hand shoulder and blocker shoulder were huge due to the fact that he was not out challenging the shooter.

As for a potential goaltending controversy, there is no reason to even consider it yet. There is no way that Simeon Varlamov is going to start Saturday in game 2. I would not be surprised to see Varlamov if Theodore struggles at all. Clearly, Bruce Boudreau is having some fun with the media, putting the pressure squarely on the shoulders of Theodore and ensuring that Varlamov is mentally ready should he need to come in in relief.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the undressing of Jeff Schultz on Brandon Dubinsky's winning goal. That play made Schultz look like he belonged back in Pee Wee. I've read that he has some sort of injury (my confidence would be badly bruised after that incident) and will not play on Saturday.

I should also mention that I thought that the Caps did not play with a sense if urgency after the Rangers scored their fourth goal. Saturday's game will be pivotal in assessing the true development of the team.