Few athletes face the scrutiny of a starting goalie on a hockey team with championship aspirations. But just 12 hours after a disappointing performance in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff series vs. the New York Rangers, Theodore was back at work during an optional practice.

He had a long talk with goaltending coach Dave Prior. He did a few technical drills and faced some shots from the 11 position players who took part. But, according to Caps coach Bruce Boudreau, the goalie also left the building not knowing for sure if he was set to start in Game 2 on Saturday afternoon at Verizon Center.

“You guys are asking [who will be in goal] and I’m not divulging.” Boudreau said when pressed on why he wasn’t naming a starter.

Also on the ice at Kettler was rookie Simeon Varlamov, 4-0-1 in six starts for the team this season. But there is plenty of risk in switching to a first-year goalie this soon in a playoff series. Either way, Boudreau wasn’t tipping his hand and Theodore wasn’t entertaining the notion of sitting.

“It’s first game. I don’t know what you’re really referring to,” Theodore said when asked about a potential goalie change. “It’s 1-0 in the series. I’ve been down 3-1 in a series and come back and won so I think you’re jumping the gun a little bit.”

Theodore stopped only 17 of the 21 shots he faced in Wednesday’s game. He admitted after that he had not played well enough. It is also true that defensive lapses gave the Rangers several good opportunities. But this is nothing new for Theodore, who began his career in Montreal, where a single playoff loss can send the entire city reeling.

“The story changes so quickly. You lose one game then say the goalie’s shaky, got outplayed, which was the case,” Theodore said. “Then another game it’s another story and all you guys change your story again. That’s the playoffs. You live one game at a time and you play one game at a time.”