Jose Theodore News

Tonights Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadians show down will feature for the Caps a season debut and a NHL debut.

After missing more than two weeks with an injury, Alex Ovechkin wasted little time finding the back of the net in his return to the ice.

Mike Cammalleri scored the game-winning goal in the third period Friday and Montreal took advantage of a backup goaltender to down Washington 3-2. Washington goalie Jose Theodore was absent Friday for personal reasons and the Capitals called up Michal Neuvirth from their Hershey franchise to face the Canadiens.

Despite losing their last game, the Washington Capitals own the NHL's best home record.

Travis Moen and Tomas Plekanec scored in a three-minute span early in the second period, Michael Cammalleri added a goal in the third, and the Montreal Canadiens withstood a furious comeback to beat the Washington Capitals, 3-2, on Friday night.

The Washington Capitals will aim for a sixth win in seven games when they welcome the Montreal Canadiens for this evening's encounter, while the Vancouver Canucks begin a five-game homestand versus the Colorado Avalanche in what is already the fourth meeting between the division rivals this season.

The Washington Capitals expect left wing Quintin Laing to miss up to six weeks with a broken jaw, while left wing Alexander Semin is questionable with a right wrist injury.

Jose Theodore has left the Washington Capitals for personal reasons. Washington Capitals goaltender Jose Theodore has left the team for personal reasons and has returned to Washington.

Two-time reigning league MVP Alex Ovechkin appears set to return from his injury layoff when the Washington Capitals visit the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

Jose Theodore spent the first five weeks of the season debunking the myth that he's no longer a No.

Caps #89 Tyler Sloan and goalie Jose Theodore keep Niclas Bergfors from getting to a loose puck in the third period during the NHL game between the New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals at the Prudential Center.

Detroit scored four times early in the first period, and Niklas Kronwall had two power-play goals and an assist to power the Red Wings past the Blue Jackets 9-1 on Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio.

TV/radio: CSN+, AM-1500 Goalies: Capitals - Jose Theodore or Semyon Varlamov . Panthers - Tomas Vokoun Injuries: Capitals - Out: C Boyd Gordon .

But the Capitals prevailed anyway. Getting 23 saves from goaltender Jose Theodore and goals 40 seconds apart from Mathieu Perreault and Quintin Laing, Washington defeated the Panthers for the second time in two nights.

That doesn't mean there isn't a player in the dressing room capable of carrying the club alone, a la Ovechkin, in the two-time MVP's absence.

As they attempt to snap a three-game slide, the Capitals will likely have to play without Ovechkin again during a home-and-home series with the surging Florida Panthers that begins Friday night.

There really isn't a goalie debate in Washington, but maybe there should be. During last season fans watched Jose Theodore chalk up wins over the course of the entire season with an uncharacteristically skillful brilliance.

Columbus Blue Jackets' RJ Umberger scores a goal as Washington Capitals' Milan Jurcina , of Slovakia, and Capitals goalie Jose Theodore, left, defend during the second period on an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov.

Alex Ovechkin's inability to score on 18 shots against Steve Mason last season helped the Blue Jackets goaltender win NHL rookie of the year honors.

In my first edition of the Washington Capitals Hot Seat, I addressed the expectations for goaltender Jose Theodore.