Thompson will make his Capitals debut against former Golden Knights teammates

ARLINGTON, Va. – Logan Thompson said he will be more focused on getting off to a good start with his new team than trying to beat his old team when the goalie makes his Washington debut on Tuesday (7 p.m.) at Capital One Arena Capitals vs. visiting Vegas Golden Knights ET; Scripps, MNMT).

“You're always going to be a little more motivated to play against your former team,” Thompson said Monday. “I’m just looking forward to playing here in a Caps jersey for the first time and hopefully helping get the boys two points.”

Thompson played four seasons with Vegas before being traded to Washington on June 29 for third-round picks in the 2024 and 2025 NHL Drafts. The 27-year-old posted a record of 25-14-5 with a goals-against average of 2.70. a .908 save percentage and a shutout in 46 regular season games (42 starts) with the Golden Knights last season. He was 2-2 with a 2.35 GAA and a .921 save percentage in four appearances (all starts) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as Vegas lost to the Dallas Stars in seven games of the Western Conference first round.

Thompson is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces after the game.

“Of course there are very mixed feelings when you play against the old team,” he said. “There are many beautiful memories there that I will keep forever. … I’m just looking forward to (the game). I’ll wait and see what happens.”

The Golden Knights gave Thompson his start in the NHL, signing him as an undrafted free agent on July 13, 2020. He had a record of 56-32-11 with a 2.67 GAA, a .912 save percentage and four shutouts in 103 regular season games (95 starts) with Vegas. His only playoff appearance was last season. Due to injury, he did not play in the playoffs when the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in 2023.

Entering the final season of a three-year, $2.3 million contract (average annual value of $766,667), which he signed on January 30, 2022, Thompson expressed a desire to play more after last season, which led to this that he was transferred to Washington. At the time, Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said that Thompson had requested a trade, but Thompson declined.

However, Thompson said there are no hard feelings now.

“I have a good relationship with Kelly McCrimmon,” Thompson said. “He has known me since I was 14. I think we were just at two different points. Since I was younger in my career, I just wanted another opportunity. Kelly McCrimmon gave me this opportunity. That being said, I am very, very grateful to have been a part of the Vegas Golden Knights back in the day.

“That’s why I’m a Stanley Cup champion, but I’m really excited to get started here.”

At Washington, Thompson shares the net with Charlie Lindgren, who passed Darcy Kuemper as the No. 1 goalie last season, which led to Kuemper being traded to the Los Angeles Kings for center Pierre-Luc Dubois on June 19. Lindgren made 28 saves in the Capitals' season-opening 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said he wanted to give Lindgren and Thompson a start each in the first two games, preparing Thompson to play against his former team, which is off to a 3-0-0 start and in this 15th season Games scored goals. Carbery expects Thompson to be motivated.

“I will caution him to channel that,” Carbery said. “Because as we know, once the puck drops, you can be as fired up and excited as you want, but if you don't have a clear head… when you want something so bad, sometimes it goes the other way.” But he is the guy who is a fiery guy and loves to compete and so it won’t be any different for him.”

Thompson showed his competitive side when he was asked during training camp what adjustments he would have to make with the Capitals after playing behind the Golden Knights, who are known for their goalie-friendly defensive system under coach Bruce Cassidy.

“I guess Vegas deserves all the credit for the goaltending there,” he said on Sept. 20. “I’m excited to see how different it will be and whether I can even play in the league.”

Thompson said Monday that comment was in jest.

“I’m just kidding,” he said. “I think it's good to have some personality in the game. Of course I'm competitive and they know that, but it's all love for this organization. In the end it was just a joke.”