Simeon Varlamov’s long trip from Hershey, PA meant he didn’t arrive in time to back up Brent Johnson when the puck dropped Friday against the Ottawa Senators. Instead, the Caps had to rely on team Web Producer and former Division III goalie Brett Leonhardt as their backup goalie for ten minutes of nail-biting NHL action. The Senators took every possible opportunity to try to hurt Johnson and get to Leonhardt, the only Division III goalie in the NHL this year. But once Varlamov got his pads on and joined the bench, the Sens stopped crashing the crease, as though Johnson had taken on the powers of Obi Wan Kenobi. Last night in Montreal, Varlamov showed exactly why.
Last night marked the first of hopefully many NHL wins for Varlamov, the goalie the Caps hope will stabilize their future and one day help them challenge for the Stanley Cup. Varlamov earned backhanded praise from Canadiens fans, and sincere praise from the Montreal Gazette. The Gazette said that Varlamov — more than injuries, bad luck or the rest of the Washington Capitals — beat the Canadiens 2-1 last night in Montreal.
Photos by Eli Resnick.
