Byline: Stephen Whyno, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Michal Neuvirth was the Washington Capitals' starting goaltender in the playoffs last season, and this year's No. 1, Tomas Vokoun, was out with the flu. So as the only healthy goalie around, Neuvirth figured he'd start Monday night against the San Jose Sharks.

Instead, the Caps called up Braden Holtby from the minors and gave him a start, dealing another blow to the 23-year-old Neuvirth in a season during which he is already struggling with subpar stats. Coach Dale Hunter's blunt answer when asked about Neuvirth's confidence said it all.

It's one of those things where if [Neuvirth] was standing on his head every night, would Braden be playing? No, Hunter said. So it's always judged on how you play.

That was just the latest example of the Caps' mismanagement of goalies, a troublesome trend that has appeared at just about every turn this season.

Even forgive the Caps on July 1 for declaring the kids were all right - that Neuvirth and Holtby, 22, were going to be their tandem this year. Vokoun came at too good of a price to pass up, a one-year deal for $1.5 million.

But then-coach Bruce Boudreau went out of his way from development camp in mid-July throughtraining camp in September and October to say Vokoun deserved the respect of being the Caps' No. 1 goalie. The day before the season rolled around, and Vokoun laughed off a question about being nervous opening night because, as it turned out, he wasn't actually playing. His agent, Allan Walsh, said at the time the move could certainly be perceived as a slap in the face.

In early December, with Vokoun returning to South Florida to face his former team, the Panthers, for the first time, Hunter decided to start Neuvirth. The 35-year-old Vokoun remarked that day he's a paid employee not making those kinds of decisions. Neuvirth allowed all the goals in a 5-4 loss.

In the past two months, the goaltending has been better than solid, the word Hunter used to describe the play of Vokoun and Neuvirth. Since center Nicklas Backstrom went out of the lineup with a concussion, the Caps have gone 7-8-3. Of those seven victories, four have been shutouts.

All too often, the Caps have needed their starting goaltender to stand on his head. Or they don't win. Vokoun grasps that during a season that has been far from perfect.

You're always going to go through periods when things are not going your way or you don't get to play or something, Vokoun said. It's part of being a hockey player to learn how to deal with it and obviously succeed no matter what. As long as you perform, nobody can keep you out of the lineup.

Perhaps the bar for performing is set unreasonably high. The Caps' .908 save percentage is in the middle of the pack leaguewide, and though Neuvirth's numbers - .894 save percentage and 3.07 goals-against average - look bad, the play in front of him has often been the cause.

I think he's had some pretty good games for us. I don't think we've been helping him out that much. …