Varly on IR?

According to ESPN.com, Caps G Semyon Varlamov was placed on the injured reserved list. The story was broke around 5 PM on Thursday. The story was broke by Scott Burnside at around 5 PM on Thursday. This move set the 23-man roster for the Caps. This move opens the door for Michal Neuvirth, who will make the opening night start against Atlanta on Friday. Varlamov can be recalled at anytime during the season, and even Bruce Boudreau said that Varly still has a chance to start against the Devils in the home opener at the Verizon Center on Saturday. If Varly cant suit up for the weekend games, Dany Sabourin will suit up to back up Neuvirth. Apparently, changing your number to number 1 during the offseason DOES NOT guarantee you the starting spot. Varlamov and Neuvirth have been battling for the number 1 goalie spot all of camp, and because no one has really heard of any injury occurring to Varly during camp, it seems as if the coach has made his decision, at least to open the season. Last year, Neuvirth went 9-4 with a .914% save percentage and a 2.75 GAA, while Varlamov went 30-7-7 with a .911% save percentage and a 2.81 GAA. While it seems that Neuvirth has the better numbers, I have always personally been a Varlamov-guy, especially after his playoff performance two years ago (I still get chills watching that RIDICULOUS save on Sid the Kid in Game 1 of that Series). Plus, every game that I watched with Neuvirth in goal last season he seemed very very shaky. Maybe Boudreau feels that he needs to get the younger kid some experience, but even that seems shaky because Varly needs just as much time to learn as Neuvirth does.

I also hate switching out goalies on a consistent basis. The Caps seemed to do this last year and I was never an avid fan of it, because it never seemed as if the goalie was allowed to get in a groove. Cate was telling me when she was a field hockey goalie she hated when her coach would not tell her whether she would be starting or not. She said she'd rather be told in advance so she cant get her mind right. I feel as if its the same situation with these guys. If you want to start Neuvirth, great, that's fine, Boudreau knows more than any of us armchair coaches do. But stick with him, unless he REALLY falters, and then go make a change. By flopping goalies, your not boosting these guys moral and making them more competitive; your just ruining their confidence.

P.S.- Complete different tangent here, but HAPPY HOCKEY SEASON! The season officially kicked off tonight, and the Pens are all ready 0-1-0! It looks like its going to be a good year.

LORD STANLEY TO DC!