The Washington Capitals’ high-flying offense was on display in their 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, but goaltender Logan Thompson put up the best performance of the night. Thompson not only stopped 35 of the Leafs’ 37 shots but also made several spectacular saves to keep the Capitals in the game.
After the Caps earned a 2-1 lead, Thompson denied a potential game-tying goal from William Nylander late in the first period, sprawling out and flashing his glove on what looked like a wide open net. Thompson’s save shocked even Sportsnet’s broadcast, which briefly displayed a Leafs goal graphic when he made the stop.
Though Thompson was able to make the save, he had plenty of praise for Nylander’s play when speaking about the stop postgame.
“He was all alone and he made a first tip on the on the shot,” he said. “And then credit to him to pull it because I was down and out. A lot of times that puck goes in, today it just hit me. It was a good move by him and (he’s a) talented hockey player so you’ve got to expect something like that from him.”
Nylander, too, had plenty of respect for his opponent’s talent, stopping to talk to Thompson during a commercial break after the save.
Neither Thompson nor Nylander were done for the night, however. Nylander went on a breakaway just minutes later but was stymied by another sprawling Thompson save.
Though Bobby McMann tied the game 2-2 for the Leafs in the second period, Thompson held strong in the final 30 minutes of the game for the 5-2 win. He put up several more big saves in the third period, stopping a semi-breakaway from Mitch Marner and a full breakaway from Pontus Holmberg as well as making a glove save on a puck just inches away from the net.
He ended the night with a .946 save percentage and 1.73 goals saved above expected, earning not only First Star of the Game honors but a shout out in head coach Spencer Carbery’s postgame locker room speech.
“And this guy was unreal, especially in the third, couple of huge f***ing saves, LT!” Carbery said, followed by a round of applause from Thompson’s teammates.
Thompson now holds a 14-2-2 record on the season and ranks first in points percentage (0.833) among goalies with 10 or more games played. Jakob Chychrun told Monumental Sports Network’s Al Koken postgame that he was impressed by Thompson’s performance, but hardly surprised after how strong he’s been this season.
“Yeah, he’s been phenomenal all year,” he said, adding, “LT just stands on his head again for us and (he’s a) heck of a goalie.”
For his part, Thompson demurred some of the praise, attributing part of his success Saturday to good luck.
“I think it was just one of those games where I was feeling good,” he said postgame. “Some luck on my side today and in the end, just happy to get the two points.”
With Charlie Lindgren expected to play Sunday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, Thompson will likely get his next start on New Year’s Eve against the Boston Bruins.
