"Red-hot Jose Theodore, one of the best free-agent pickups in the NHL, will get his fourth consecutive start Saturday night vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. Theodore's had a lot of real good starts this season, but last night he was just tremendous in a building he loves to play in (TD Garden, but Fleetcenter in my heart).
Theodore is 18-4-3 with a 2.41 GAA, a .914 SV% and one shutout in 25 starts lifetime against the Pens. Theodore's won three in a row, and it's clear the Wild's confident whenever he's in the cage. You just don't miss a beat with Theodore in net, and I've got to think a handful of teams are kicking themselves (Tampa) for not snatching this guy up in the summertime.
I mean just think about this: Jose Theodore, a former Hart and Vezina winner, a guy that won 30 games last year and didn't lose in regulation basically in the second half, was signed in OCTOBER by the Wild. Crazy.
There is a slight issue, though, with the Wild's goaltending. The Wild plays a home game at 5 p.m. against Dallas on Sunday. That is a tough, tough back-to-back. Road, then home, and an early game to boot.
Niklas Backstrom is still hampered by what we're thinking is a groin problem. Coach Todd Richards said there is concern as to whether Backstrom can start Sunday against Jamie Langenbrunner and the Stars, and with such a tough back-to-back, can you really risk Theodore's health less than 24 hours later with tough travel by starting him again? Plus, the Wild hits the road again Monday for Nashville.
So, Richards said he planned to talk to GM Chuck Fletcher about maybe calling up a goalie from Houston, potentially to start vs. the Stars. IF, and I stress if, this were to happen, I'd assume it would be Anton Khudobin considering he's 2-0 with the Wild with a 0.87 GAA and .979 SP.
But again, this is just conjecture now. Maybe Backstrom can start, or maybe Theodore says he's good to go two in a row despite it not being your normal back-to-back."
And now some photos from the Devils game earlier this week. The photographer at that game was feeling the love for José too...he had the camera on him A LOT!
And now some goalie love. ♥
Remember when he was signed and there was all that Jose hate? I think right about now is the appropriate time for a big I Told You So! I really don't like his mustache though. Ick.
ReplyDeleteI agree, a BIG I told you so to all the haters!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the facial hair right now, because it's beard and moustache. He hasn't shaved in a while. ;o) In those photos all you can see is the moustache though.