The Washington Capitals took care of business on home ice last night over the Anaheim Ducks by a final score of 3-0. Brandon Duhaime, John Carlson, and Ethen Frank had the goals and Logan Thompson got his first shutout as a member of the team. After the stellar play of Charle Lindgren last season, the Caps acquired him from the Vegas Golden Knights for a one two punch at goalie but now Lindgren is injured.
With Lindgren out of the lineup, Thompson has had to carry the workload and so far this season he has to the tune of a 19-2-3 record with a 2.23 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. Last night's game saw Thompson stop all 19 shots he faced.
Lindgren on the other hand is 10-8-2 with a 2.65 goals against average and a .901 save percentage. So in a town supercharged about the stellar play of their local football team and hockey, there's a hot question on cold ice. Which goaltender is better and so far based on the stats it's been Thompson even though Lindgren did indeed help the Capitals get to the playoffs a year ago.
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery spoke to The Sports Junkies on 106.7 The Fan about the topic of a goalie rotation being disrupted:
"You never like to lose a goaltender to injury, and Chuckie being out, I don't think it's going to be too long term, which is great news. But also it's an opportunity for LT to play more games and show he can play two in a row, three in a row, four in a row, whatever it might be. "Spencer Carbery
Carbery on the #Caps’ goalie rotation being disrupted (via @JunksRadio): “You never like to lose a goaltender to injury, and Chuckie being out, I don’t think is going to be too long term, which is great news. But also it’s an opportunity for LT to play more games and show he can…
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) January 15, 2025
You can listen to the full Spencer Carbery interview from 106.7 The Fan over here. Carbery would say at morning skate prior to their game against the Ducks last night that Lindgren was limited to off ice work. He would say, "Trending in the right direction. Didn't skate today but things are looking positive.
Let's cut away from Lindgren and go back to Thompson. He would tell the media after the win and the shuout that he earned:
"It's always good to get that out of the way... I'm good at letting in one (laughing). I never seem to go get 'em, so it's always a treat when I do."Logan Thompson
Thompson joking about his first shutout of the season: “It’s always nice to get that out of the way…I’m good at letting in one (laughing). I never seem to get ‘em, so it’s always a treat when I do.” #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) January 15, 2025
Next up for the Caps is a road contest in Ottawa against the Senators where Thompson is expected to once again get the nod. It'll be the third game in a row for LT in the cage. Lindgren is eligible to come off injured reserve on Saturday when the Capitals host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both contests are at 7 p.m. on Monumental Sports Network.