Photo: Bruce Bennett

In late-breaking blockbuster, the Capitals have acquired notorious Caps-killing goaltender Jaroslav Halak for Michal Neuvirth.

Halak earns $3.75M as a UFA until the end of the season. He was acquired by Buffalo for Ryan Miller last week. Halak’s lifetime save percentage is .917. His playoff save percentage against Alex Semin is 1.00.

Neuvirth began his pro career with the Caps organization. He sports a .910 career save percentage and earns $2.5M per season through 2015, when he’ll be a UFA.

The Capitals have also given a 6th round magic bean to Buffalo. Actually, the Caps have been given a third round pick. Even better.

UPDATE: R. Klesla is now a Buffalo Sabre too. Even more of a salary dump!

This is big. Goodbye, Neuvy.

From the Caps:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 5, 2014

Capitals Acquire Jaroslav Halak and Third-Round Draft Pick
in the 2015 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres for Michal Neuvirth and Rostislav Klesla

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have acquired goaltender Jaroslav Halak and a third-round draft pick in the 2015 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for goaltender Michal Neuvirth and defenseman Rostislav Klesla, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Halak, 28, has posted a record of 24-9-4 with a 2.23 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage in 40 games with the St. Louis Blues this season. Halak currently sits ninth among NHL goaltenders in wins, 10th in goals-against average and third in shutouts (4).

Through his eight NHL seasons in Montreal and St. Louis, Halak has played in 260 career NHL games, earning a 139-81-26 record with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. Additionally, Halak has appeared in 23 career playoff games with Montreal and St. Louis, posting a record of 10-11-0 with a 2.42 goals-against average and a ..923 save percentage. Halak’s career shootout save percentage of .711 ranks ninth among active goaltenders with at least 25 career shootouts.

The Bratislava, Slovakia native was awarded a share the William M. Jennings Trophy in 2011-12 for achieving the league’s lowest goals-against average (1.97). During that season, Halak ranked fifth in the NHL in goals against average, seventh in save percentage (.926 – career high) and tied for fifth in shutouts (six). Along with goaltender Brian Elliott, Halak tied a modern day NHL record for a goaltending tandem with 15 combined shutouts, surpassing the Blues’ mark of 13 set in 1968-69 by Jacques Plante and Glenn Hall.

Neuvirth, 25, has posted a 4-6-2 record with a 2.85 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in 13 games with Washington this season. Klesla, 31, collected four points (one goal, three assists) and 24 penalty minutes with the Phoenix Coyotes this season.