A day away from the start of the playoffs, Spencer Carbery was unwilling to share who the Washington Capitals would start in net for Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens. Looking for any edge possible, Carbery refused to give a public nod to either Logan Thompson or Charlie Lindgren.
“You will find out tomorrow night,” the Caps’ second-year head coach said.
Thompson was a full participant in practice again as he continues to work his way back from an upper-body injury suffered against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 2. He missed the season’s final seven games after looking like he’d be the Capitals’ de facto postseason starter at the beginning of the month.
The 28-year-old backstop posted better numbers than Lindgren this season, going 31-6-6 with a 2.49 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage, and two shutouts. After a hot start to the year, he struggled down the stretch, posting a 3.33 goals-against average and a .877 save percentage over his last 15 games.
Despite those less than sterling numbers to close out the year, Thompson was still one of the three best goalies in the league, saving 26 more goals than expected for the Caps per MoneyPuck. His battery mate, Lindgren, finished 59th among all NHL netminders, allowing 1 goal more than expected.
Lindgren started five of the Capitals’ final seven games and notched a 4-2 record in April with a 3.11 goals-against average and a .881 save percentage. The 31-year-old former Canadiens goalie split three appearances against Montreal this season nearly down the middle with Thompson.
Capitals goalies against Canadiens during regular season
| Goalie | TOI | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan Thompson (1-0-1) | 98:46 | 3.04 | .889 |
| Charlie Lindgren (1-0-0) | 82:15 | 2.19 | .875 |
Neither goalie is more experienced than the other in terms of past playoff action. Lindgren made his first four career postseason starts for the Capitals last year, going 0-4 with a 3.58 goals-against average and a .864 save percentage in the team’s first-round loss to the New York Rangers.
Thompson also played his first four career playoff games last year with the Vegas Golden Knights, going 2-2 with a 2.35 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. The Calgary native was injured for the entirety of Vegas’s successful run to the 2023 Stanley Cup.
Clay Stevenson, also still with the Capitals, is serving as the club’s third goaltender on their playoff roster while the Hershey Bears have a first-round bye in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs.
