The (Continuing) Rise Of Lord Varlamov

Caps 4, Rags 0

• Is Varlamov the next Cam Ward? For what it's worth, I'd trade a Ring and a Conn Smythe for mediocrity down the stretch.
  Through two NHL playoff games, Varly has a 98.2 S%, and 0.50 GAA. It's a small sample size, but a few of those reflex saves were just nasty.
  
• Sean Avery needs to be given a blanket party; the Rags would have had a chance to win had he not laced up. Avery had four minors and a game misconduct, all while doing nothing to antagonize his opposition. Maybe he needs more therapy.
  
• One wonders what kind of God would allow class acts like Scott Gomez and Chris Drury to skate on a team with such an unmitigated fop.
  
• The Caps have outshot the Rags an aggregate 41-20 in the first period, and 110-78 overall.
  
• As good as Semin was, I curse him for missing the open net on his backhand during the first. Brooks, Backstrom, and Varlamov were better overall.
  
• I look forward to Larry Brooks' summation and analysis. If he plays his cards right, maybe he could score a job on PTI.

Image Copyright Jimmy Jazz, 2009