Jose Theodore will start for the third consecutive game when the Capitals host the Devils tonight at Verizon Center. Theodore started as many as seven straight games for the Caps last season.

I talked to Theodore after practice one day last week, but was unable to publish on the blog then. We've ironed out those issues, and here are Theo's thoughts on a few subjects.

First, I asked him what he would say to Semyon Varlamov who was pulled after allowing four second-period goals in his most recent start last Tuesday in Philadelphia.

“It’s not the first time and it’s not the last time," says Jose. "Those kinds of things happen. He’s 21. It’s a learning experience for him. He’s a good goalie and he works hard. For him, it’s just part of getting experience. It’s all about coming back and working hard and bouncing back. That’s how a goalie gets maturity.'

I also noted that playing goal for an offensively focused team such as the Capitals is not conducive to winning Vezina and Jennings Trophies.

“I think every time you play you play to win games and that’s all you want to do is win," declares Theodore. "At the end of the day when you win, everybody is happy. Some games you might be up 5-1 and then it finishes 5-3. It doesn’t mean you didn’t make the key saves. But I think we have a team that is capable of winning a 2-1 hockey game as well as 6-5.

"As a goalie you’ve got to make sure that if you’re down a couple of goals or you’re up a couple of goals, you’ve got to make the next save. I think last year proved it. Defensively, our goals against were on the higher side. But my winning percentage was the best I ever had. That means everything."

at this point, I want to know his thoughts on goals against average and save pct., the traditional yardsticks for measuring a goaltender's effectiveness.

“I always say it’s sometimes not an accurate stat just because of the different styles,' says Theodore. "Some teams really want to win games 1-0 and 2-1. Obviously we want to do that but with the style we play, the games might be a little bit higher scoring. At the end of the day, you’ve got to make the key saves at the right time in order to win. There’s no easy win out there. When you win, you’re happy."

That last line may sound a bit like Denis Lemieux, but you can't argue its truth.