Logan Thompson didn’t miss a beat in his return to the crease Thursday night, stopping 27 shots and backstopping the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators. It was his first game back after a four-game absence, and it couldn’t have come at a better time - not just for the Caps, who are clawing for every point in the Eastern Conference playoff race, but for Thompson himself as he heads into the Olympic break with momentum on his side.
Now, the 28-year-old is headed to Milan, where he’ll join Team Canada for the upcoming Winter Olympics. For Thompson, it’s more than just a call-up - it’s the realization of a lifelong dream.
“It’s a dream come true,” Thompson said postgame. “I’m going to just go there and soak it all in and do any role that they want me to be. Whether that’s practice goalie, backup, handing out the water bottles, I’m just going to be happy to be there and I’m going to do whatever I can to the best that I can.”
That humble attitude is classic Thompson, but let’s be clear: he’s not heading to Italy to be a passenger. He’s very much in the mix to compete for the starting job. With a 19-6-4 record, a 2.45 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage, and two shutouts this season, Thompson’s numbers stack up favorably against fellow Team Canada netminders Jordan Binnington and Darcy Kuemper.
Yes, he’s hit a bit of a rough patch recently - a 1-4 record with a 3.27 GAA and .884 save percentage over his last five games - but Thursday’s performance was a timely reminder of what he can bring when he’s locked in. It was the kind of game that shakes off the rust and restores confidence, both for the player and his teammates.
“Yeah, obviously, I wanted to play all of these games,” Thompson said. “I unfortunately wasn’t able to, but, yeah, it’s important to get this one before the break and feeling good and confidence going into this big tournament.”
That confidence wasn’t lost on Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery, who praised Thompson’s preparation and resilience.
“Man, I give him a lot of credit because he’s worked the last three or four days,” Carbery said. “They give him the green light medically, and for him to play like he did tonight when we needed it most, and now going over to Italy, you just think about him going over there and feeling really, really confident and good about his game as he goes into a tournament with the best players in the world.”
While Binnington is expected to get the first start for Canada in their Olympic opener against Czechia on February 12 - thanks in part to his strong showing at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off - the leash won’t be long. Thompson has been the most consistent of the trio this season, and if Binnington stumbles, don’t be surprised if the Calgary native gets the nod.
Team Canada enters the tournament with lofty expectations and a roster stacked with elite talent, aiming to defend the gold medal they last captured in 2014 - the last time NHL players suited up for Olympic competition. That year, Canada shut down Sweden in the gold medal game. Now, 12 years later, Thompson has a chance to write his own chapter in Canadian hockey history.
From helping the Caps stay in the playoff hunt to preparing for the biggest international stage in hockey, Thompson is stepping into the spotlight at just the right time. And if Thursday night was any indication, he’s ready for it.