WASHINGTON, DC — Logan Thompson has been close to perfect in his first stint as a full-time starter for the Washington Capitals.

Over the last week, Thompson recorded the third-best shutout streak in Capitals history, keeping the net empty for a total of 198:22. He sits behind only Pat Riggin (with a 203:52 streak in 1983-84) and Jim Carey (with a 200:04 streak in 1995-96) for the team’s all-time best and ranks 76th in the all-time NHL record book.

The streak began January 11, partway through the second period against the Nashville Predators, and continued until Bryan Rust scored for the Pittsburgh Penguins 11:29 into the third period Saturday night. Thompson earned back-to-back shutouts for the first time in his career against the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators.

Thompson took the end of the streak in stride, giving a lighthearted answer when speaking about it postgame.

“It’s disappointing,” he said with a smile. “Yeah, it was fun. I don’t play for that. My goal at the end of the day is to help this team get two points, and I thought I did my job tonight.”

Though Thompson wasn’t too stressed about the end of the streak, he admitted he was frustrated by the goal he allowed, arguing he should have been able to make the save.

“I wasn’t happy with the goal,” he said. “I thought John played it well. I usually don’t give up goals on the ice like that. So that’s one I definitely can save. So I’m always upset when I let in a weak goal like that, just for the team. But again, happy with the two points.”

Thompson has joked that he rarely gets shutouts (he has just six in his career), telling reporters he’s “good at letting in one” after his perfect game against the Ducks. When asked what was behind his spotless streak this time, he deflected and credited good luck and strong play by his teammates.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I mean, like I said, I don’t get used to it. I don’t get shutouts, so that was pretty lucky, I think. And I think that just shows credit to the team and how well they’ve been playing in front of me and making my job really easy.”

Head coach Spencer Carbery, however, told a different story — though he accidentally undersold Thompson’s achievement.

“Eight periods of shutout hockey, he’s just been tremendous,” Carbery said postgame. “And some good saves tonight.” (Including the third period against Nashville, Thompson ended the streak with nine flawless periods.)

After Thompson and Charlie Lindgren alternated starts for the first half of the season, an upper-body injury to Lindgren thrust Thompson into a full-time starting position; he’s succeeded with flying colors in that elevated role. Thompson has a record of 4-0-1 and a save percentage of .957 since Lindgren’s injury and has allowed just two goals in his last four games.

Jakob Chychrun argued that Thompson’s confidence has played a key role in his recent play, crediting him for keeping the Caps out of bad situations.

“[I’m seeing] just confidence,” he said. “He’s seeing everything. And if he’s seeing it, he’s stopping it. So he’s playing really, really well and you need that. It’s a huge part of being able to get wins in this league, to be able to rely on that goalie when you have some breakdowns or [aren’t] playing as well as you would like.”

Carbery, too, highlighted Thompson’s play in close games, including much of Saturday night’s contest against Pittsburgh.

“He’s been there in these 1-0 — where it’s still hanging there,” he said. “Malkin gets a grade-A in the slot, makes a big save. So it becomes a nothing — some of those pucks go in and the game just changes, right? In a 1-0 game, it’s 1-1, now here we go. He’s stepped up time and time again this year and just playing at a real high level for us, and we’ve needed all of it.”

Thompson’s future role is now up in the air: Lindgren returned from injury to back up against the Penguins and would presumably be able to start against the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday night. Neither goaltender has a contract for next season, with the Caps reportedly hesitant to offer one a deal before the other. But though he’s enjoyed getting a run of starts, Thompson says he’d still be happy returning to the pair’s rotating schedule.

“It feels good to play and like I said, get in that rhythm,” he said. “But I’m happy Charlie’s back and happy to get the rotation going again and getting back to working with him and keeping the good vibes going.”