The Washington Capitals take on the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning on Tuesday night. The Caps will have to look to their goaltender Logan Thompson to stifle a Carolina offensive attack.
The Caps had injury concerns with Thompson leading up to the first rond series against the Montreal Canadiens and despite an injury scare during the series appeared in all five games for the Caps.
Thompson so far is 4-1 with a .923 save percentage which is second among goalies who have played multiple games behind recently extended Frederik Anderson who has .936 in four games.
Thompson has an edge in that Anderson now has an injury concern. If Anderson can't go the Hurricanes will have to look to Pyotr Kochetkov and Spencer Martin.
Although he wasn't named a Vezina Trophy finalist, Thompson has been one of the most impactful players in the NHL this season. In just his first season with the Caps he helped lead them to a first place Eastern Conference finish after they barely made the playoffs last season.
The 28 year old goalie was acquired in draft weekend with a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. He ranked second in winning percentage at 72.09 behind Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck who had 74.06.
Thompson picked up 31 wins in 43 games and among the 30 goalies who played at least 40 games, he was tied for eighth in even strength save percentage at .918.
Per NHL Edge, Thompson has succeeded in the playoffs by making saves mid range. He has faced the fifth most mid range shots on goal with 40 and ranks third in mid range saves with 39 and second in mid range save percentage at .795.
The midrange save percentage will be a crucial category as the Hurricanes scored seven mid range goals in their first round series win over the New Jersey Devils. That was tied with the Colorado Avalanche for the most of any team through five games.
Can Thompson keep up his momentum that he's shown all season long? He has a good test ahead of him in the Hurricanes.
