Plus/Minus: Varlamov Steps Up for Capitals; Blue Jackets Get Crushed

We're trying something different to replace the old Newsmakers in the NHL posts. Hopefully you'll like it. Each weekday we'll take a look at one positive performance from the previous night (a plus), and one negative performance from the previous night (a minus). It's the plus/minus.Tell us what you think at nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

More Coverage: Wednesday's NHL Scoreboard

Plus Of The Day: Semyon Varlamov, Washington Capitals

Jose Theodore had a relatively short night for the Washington Capitals, finding himself on the bench just six minutes into the game after giving up three goals on five shots. His terrible start opened the door for Semyon Varlamov to come off the bench and help lead the Caps to a 5-4 shootout win -- a shootout that took 11 rounds to decide.

While hockey purists loathe the shootout and everything it stands for, there's no denying that Wednesday's performance was highly entertaining, as Varlamov and Islanders goaltender Dwayne Roloson matched one another save-for-save for the first 10 rounds. Chris Clark eventually scored what would be the game-winner for Washington before Varlamov sealed the contest by stopping Mark Streit.

Alexander Semin stepped up for the Capitals in the win as well, scoring two goals in regulation (and one in the shootout) and finishing with a game-high 11 shots on goal. He had been held to zero goals and two assists in his previous six games.

Even without the services of two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin, the Capitals have still found a way fill the net and get the job done, winning three of their past four games.

Minus Of The Day: The Columbus Blue Jackets

I was going to give this to Steve Mason for continuing his disappointing season by giving up eight goals on 27 shots in Columbus' 9-1 loss to Detroit (backup Mathieu Garon gave up the other goal), but ultimately decided to give it to the entire Blue Jackets team. Why? When you lose 9-1, in your home building, and get out-shot by a 39-26 margin it can't be blamed on just one person.

It's a total team effort.

That's not to say Mason didn't play a sizable role in the loss. I'm not going to throw around the phrase "sophomore slump" (mainly because I hate it), but there's clearly something wrong with the second-year netminder after his first 14 starts of the season.

After being the toast of the NHL a year ago, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year and finishing as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, Mason has struggled mightily this season, with Wednesday's effort being his worst of the young campaign. His save percentage for the game was barely over .700, while he entered play with a .891 mark for the season, good enough for 37th (out of 40) in the league.

Highlight Of The Day: Alexander Semin scores his first of two goals against the Islanders, this one coming just eight seconds into the game.