[4] However, Varlamov was with the Bears in San Antonio, Texas and was unable to make it to Washington in time to start the game as the backup goaltender.
[4] As a result, the Capitals were forced to dress three goaltenders, signing Leonhardt, the team's web producer, to an amateur tryout contract before the game to back up Brent Johnson until the arrival of Varlamov.
[4] Because of his experience in NCAA Division III ice hockey with the State University of New York at Oswego and Neumann College, as well as the Kitchener Dutchmen of the GOJHL, Leonhardt, nicknamed "Stretch" due to his height, had previously participated in on-ice practice sessions with the Capitals, filling in when an additional goaltender was needed.
[7] At 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 metres) tall, had Leonhardt played in the game, he would have tied Ben Bishop as the tallest goalie in NHL history.
[5] On November 29, 2013, Capitals starting goalie Michal Neuvirth was injured during warmups before a game against the Montreal Canadiens and scratched from the lineup.