Yahoo Sports A Closer Look At Just How Good Logan Thompson Has Been For The Capitals; Key To Success As He Enters Vezina Conversation
A lot has factored into the Washington Capitals' current place at the top of the NHL standings, but one huge key to the team's success so far has been Logan Thompson.
Thompson, who was acquired in a draft day trade in exchange for a pair of third-round picks, has been lights out to open his Capitals tenure.
In 23 games, the 27-year-old is 18-2-3 with a .919 save percentage and 2.32 GAA. Among goalies with at least 20 games played, he has the fourth-highest SV% in the league, and he's tied for fifth in wins this season. He's only lost in regulation twice, and he has helped Washington pick up 39 total points out of a possible 46.
"When I go out and play, I try to not think at all," Thompson said. "Just do."
Treading into more advanced statistical territory, Thompson ranks second in goals saved above expected (19.8) and leads the league in goals saved above expected per 60 (.868), more above the reigning Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck.
Goals saved above expected are calculated by subtracting the actual number of goals a goalie has let in from the expected goals against. The higher the number, the better, as a positive number indicates that the goalie is preventing more goals than the average netminder.
Thompson is not only doing well on paper, but the eye test speaks volumes; he's quick and aggressive in the crease and uses his 6-foot-4 frame to his advantage. When he goes down, he covers quite a bit of net, and his glove hand is brilliant to boot.
Not only that, but his easy-going approach to tending the goal works well with his mentality and vision.
"You come to realize that you can't overthink things, especially in the NHL. I've been doing this long enough that you just got to go out there and trust your instincts," Thompson explained. "Sometimes it works, and sometimes, it doesn't. You know, these are good players, some of the best players in the world. Sometimes, they're going to beat you."
With Charlie Lindgren on the injured reserve, Thompson will get to assume the No. 1 role and start multiple games in a row, and from there, he has the opportunity to prove he's a No. 1 going forward. But so far, he's proven that and then some.
