Coach Dale Hunter said Michal Neuvirth will get a fourth consecutive start on Friday when the Capitals face New Jersey.
This run marks the first time since Tomas Vokoun started eight straight games in October that Washington has used the same goaltender in four consecutive games.
“I just basically judge game to game,”’ Hunter said when asked about the goaltenders. “You have to watch if it’s a lot of games in a row, but Michal’s going to be judged how he plays tomorrow and we’ll decide who plays in Buffalo after that.”
In five starts and one relief appearance under Hunter, Neuvirth has a .927 save percentage, having allowed 11 goals on the 151 shots that he’s faced. In the last three games, Neuvirth has stopped 72 of 75 shots for a .960 save percentage.
I’ll have more on Neuvirth in tomorrow’s paper but it’s safe to say that the 23-year-old Czech has enjoyed being given the opportunity to establish a rhythm with more regular game action.
Hunter “believes in me,” Neuvirth said. “We talked about that goal [in Colorado] I told him what happened and he understood. Crazy bounces happen all the time, he told me he liked the way I bounced back and I battled hard the whole game and I got another chance to start. Last game [against Nashville] was a great team effort and I felt great the whole 60 minutes.”
More from Post Sports:
— Caps unfazed by Hunter’s one-year deal
— On Hockey: When will Old Ovi be back?
— Balanced lines help Caps vs. Nashville
— Michal Neuvirth getting into a groove
