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Back on Boxing Day, we were all a little disappointed and frustrated when we read this practice note from Tarik El-Bashir over at Capitals Insider:

"Jose Theodore snapped his stick blade when he came off the ice and then offered, 'I just work here' as he pulled off his pads."

Since his mini-tantrum, Theo has gone 9-2-0. We all thought that the Detroit game last month would be his finest point of the season, but tonight Theodore showed that he has plenty more tricks up his sleeve. While the final score was a lopsided 4-1, Theo kept it close through two periods until his offensive buddies woke up. When the dust settled, the Caps had earned a franchise-record 11th consecutive win, and Theodore had earned his career-best eighth straight victory.

Not only is this encouraging for the standings, but Caps' fans also have to feel a little better about the oft-criticized goaltending situation. Theodore is healthy and hot, Semyon Varlamov is on the mend (about to return), and Michal Neuvirth/Braden Holtby are solid young guys that can play if called upon. Hopefully, that will be enough come playoff time. Until then, let's celebrate a big win for the franchise:

• I don't know that I've seen Tom Poti make two prettier passes in the same game. Both assists were from sharp angles and both were right where they needed to be. You have to believe he's on top of his game right now.
  
• Alex Semin did giveth tonight (6 PIMs), but he taketh away as well. He deserves major credit for his assist on Brooks Laich's goal.
• John Erskine showing major consistency, eh? No...not with dropping his stick (although that's true too), but with his DEFENSIVE PLAY! Plus-3, three blocked shots, two hits. Nice.
• Mike Knuble has twelve goals in his last fourteen games. He's been 40% accurate or better in half of those games. If that doesn't scream 'net presence,' I don't know what does.
• I think Johnny Boychuk might have learned not to piss Ovechkin off. I think.
• Glad to see Gabby rewarding Eric Fehr with 2:30 of ice time on the man advantage. It'll pay off short term and long term.
• He didn't show up on the stat sheet, but I really thought Shaone Morrisonn had a really solid game. Unspectacular, but solid.
• While it's mostly rainbows and butterflies, 42 shots is just way too many. It was nice to see a little snarl out of Jeff Schultz when a Bruin ended up in the Caps' net.
• Good trades that never happened- Derek Morris to the Capitals last season. Not impressive.
  

Hero of the Night:

Jose Theodore. #60 in your programs, #1 in your hearts. 41 saves and a .976 save percentage can't hurt either.

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Comments (1)

Tidewater Tony said:

	Pulling a Varly Man, that AP photo is indicative of the Varly save made during the playoffs last year on Sid the Squid.
	report abuse vote down vote up

February 03, 2010
Votes: +0

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