Big Joe and company had a tough task at hand if they wanted to go into Washington and beat the Caps in the building they only lost 9 games all of last season. San Jose though they caught a break in the first period when Jose Theodore left the game with an undisclosed injury leaving rookie Semyon Varlamov a huge task at hand, taming the high flying Sharks.

The Rookie goalie came to play stopping all 15 shots he faced and got help from Alex Ovechkin scored 2 goals in less than 30 seconds early in the second period leading him to a 4-1 victory over the Sharks. San Jose could not “capitalize” on 5 power play opportunities in the first period as they only mustered 13 shots, four less than the Caps.

Theodore is listed day to day with back spasms.  Dan Rosen of  NHL.com is reporting that Jose’s injury could of happened while diving for a loose puck half way through the first period. Theodore did finish the first period before Varlamov relieved him at the start of the second period.