Neuvirth edged Capitals defenseman John Carlson (1-5--6 in 11 games), Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle (4-4--8 in nine games), Pittsburgh Penguins forward Mark Letestu (4-3--7 in 12 games), Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner (3-4--7 in 10 games) and Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (0-6--6 in 11 games) for the award.
Neuvirth, at 22, became the youngest Capital goaltender to start a season opener since Jim Carey, who was two months younger when he started the first game of the 1996-97 season. Neuvirth appeared in each of Washington's 11 games in October and shared the NHL lead with seven victories. He turned aside 37 of 39 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory at Nashville Oct. 16 and posted his first career NHL shutout with a 29-save performance in a 3-0 victory at Carolina Oct. 27.
Claimed by the Capitals in the second round, 34th overall, of the 2006 Entry Draft -- 11 picks after the club nabbed fellow 22-year-old netminder Semyon Varlamov -- the Czech Republic native backstopped the OHL Plymouth Whalers to a berth in the Memorial Cup in 2006-07, his first season in North America. He starred for the AHL Hershey Bears in each of the past two seasons, helping the club capture back-to-back Calder Cup championships.
Michal Neuvirth in October
Date |
Opponent |
Mins. | Shots |
GA |
Result |
Oct. 8 | at Atlanta | 59 | 31 | 4 | 4-2 loss |
Oct. 9 | NEW JERSEY | 60 | 33 | 2 | 7-2 win |
Oct. 11 | OTTAWA | 64 | 31 | 2 | 3-2 win (OT) |
Oct. 13 | NY ISLANDERS | 60 | 24 | 1 | 2-1 win |
Oct. 16 | at Nashville | 62 | 39 | 2 | 3-2 win (OT) |
Oct. 19 | BOSTON | 13 | 7 | 2 | 3-1 loss |
Oct. 21 | at Boston | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4-1 loss (no decision) |
Oct. 23 | ATLANTA | 62 | 32 | 3 | 4-3 win (OT) |
Oct. 27 | at Carolina | 60 | 29 | 0 | 3-0 win |
Oct. 28 | at Minnesota | 59 | 17 | 2 | 2-1 loss |
Oct. 30 | at Calgary | 60 | 29 | 2 | 7-2 win |