WASHINGTON – The jaw-dropping diving move by Logan Thompson, initially perceived as a remarkable save against Jake Evans, was in fact merely a stroke of luck, according to the goaltender himself.
“I didn’t save it,” Thompson clarified. “It went off the post. I think I almost knocked it in.”
Thompson’s good fortune, along with his exceptional performance in the third period, was instrumental in helping the Washington Capitals secure a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, giving them a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
“Thompson was crucial in the third period; he secured the win for us,” praised coach Spencer Carbery following the Game 2 victory. “With each save, you could feel the energy in the building. He grew more confident and made some pivotal saves in that period to keep us ahead.”
The Canadiens were on the verge of leveling the score, trailing 2-1, and relentlessly challenging Thompson.
With 11 minutes remaining, Thompson thwarted a 2-on-0 rush attempt by Josh Anderson. Later, with just 4:22 left, he interrupted a flawless deflection by Christian Dvorak, who had scored earlier. Shortly after, he prevented Juraj Slafkovsky from scoring as well.
Fans rose in applause, chanting “LT! LT!” after each of Thompson’s standout saves.
“What an extraordinary performance,” commented rookie Ryan Leonard, adding, “We have immense trust in him; he’s a true gamer.”
Notably, this game marked only Thompson’s second following an injury incident that occurred April 2 in Carolina, when a shot dislodged his mask.
“I knew I’d be sitting out till playoffs,” Thompson remarked. “I focused on staying prepared during practice, knowing I’d have to be ready instantly once I was called upon. It’s the playoffs—there’s no easing into it. You’ve got to hit the ground running, and that’s exactly what I did.”
For the first part of the season, Thompson shared goaltending duties with Charlie Lindgren. However, Thompson emerged as Washington’s definitive No. 1 goaltender, a position firmly established after his six-year, $35.1 million contract extension in January, while Lindgren secured a three-year, $9 million deal in March.
Though Lindgren took on the primary role late in the season and led the Capitals into last year’s playoffs, coach Carbery, alongside goaltending coach Scott Murray, chose Thompson to start this series, provided he was fit.
“Thompson has been eager for this stage—the playoffs,” Carbery noted. “He wanted to be in goal for Game 1. No slight to Lindgren, but Thompson thrives on these high-stakes moments.”
Thompson made a crucial stop early in the second period to limit the deficit to one goal. Yet his finest work came in the third, with 14 of his 25 saves stopping Montreal from tying the game.
“We expected their aggressive push in the third, just as they did in the previous game,” Thompson stated. “When you make those saves, it’s easy to stay in the game. A few slips, and it could have gone differently, but fortunately, the breaks went my way.”