Caps' Varlamov will start Game 3 against Habs

The Capitals planned to go with the 21-year-old Varlamov on Monday night instead of Jose Theodore, who had hoped to start against his former team.

Theodore started the first two games of the series but was lifted in favor of Varlamov after allowing goals on his first two shots in Game 2 on Saturday in Washington. The Capitals rallied to win the game in overtime, evening the Eastern Conference series.

Coach Bruce Boudreau said the choice of the goaltender was made by the coaching staff and general manager George McPhee. He did not offer reasons for the move.

Theodore won the Hart and Vezina trophies with Montreal in 2002.