Goaltenders are a different breed, but Washington Capitals starter Logan Thompson may take things to another level.

Just the thought of playing for the Stanley Cup is enough to make anyone feel butterflies. But not Thompson, who can't really pinpoint the last game where he felt nerves as he took the crease.

"I don't think I get nervous anymore," he told The Hockey News with a smile.

There's no fazing the 28-year-old, who compares himself to the man featured on the side of his mask: National Treasure star Nicolas Cage.

"I've been on him all year to try and get him flustered and get him off his game and keep him on his toes," Tom Wilson laughed. "Maybe it's just practice. Practice makes perfect, and now, he's just finding that rhythm where he's just in his happy place... the goalies, you just let them do their thing."

After all, to him, it's just hockey, and that helps him remain a cool and collected presence.

"Playing hockey's fun," Thompson shrugged. "I go out there every day and just have fun. Playing hockey, it means the most."

That fun-loving mentality has meant a lot to Thompson, who overcame all odds to go from an unsigned free agent to a top NHL goaltender.

"He's been able to achieve things that a lot of people didn't think he was going to achieve. He's overcome obstacles and adversity, proven a lot of people wrong because of that competitive fire in his belly," coach Spencer Carbery said.

Through seven games so far this postseason, Thompson leads all playoff starters with a .931 save percentage and has come up with several big stops between the pipes. He returned from injury at the end of the regular season in top form, replicating his success from earlier in the campaign that earned him a six-year extension.

"Playoff hockey is the hockey that every player wants to be a part of and as a goalie, you want to play in those big games," Thompson said. "It's a lot of fun, and the intensity's that much more. Every game matters."

That success, though, is a product of that composure, that "relaxed" state that Thompson remains in. He doesn't get caught up in the big moments, nor is he ever frazzled. Whether it's a morning skate or the final minutes of regulation, he's kept it loose, and it's admirable for his teammates to watch.

"He's our wall back there. He's calm, he keeps us in every single game," Wilson said. "It's nice having a goalie that's going to give it his all. He's been our MVP all year."

For Thompson, it's just part of the job, and a sign of maturity and consistency on his part.

"You're growing yourself, you're growing your game and just over time (you get better)," Thompson said, adding, "From a goalie standpoint, you just got to do the same thing. Can't switch things up, you just got to be relaxed, trust your game."

That's been the formula so far these playoffs, and it's worked well against the high-flying, shot-heavy Carolina Hurricanes, as he's stopped 58 of 61 shots thrown on net through the first two games of the series.

"He handles (the pressure) well. He's a great goalie, and he's confident," Andrew Mangiapane said, adding, "Just doing what he's doing gives everyone kind of belief on our bench... he gives us some calmness back there."

Entering Game 3 with a chance to tilt the series further in D.C.'s favor, the Capitals are ready to see Thompson continue to provide the stability and fire he's played with so far.

"The most impressive thing that sticks out when you get to know Logan Thompson is his competitiveness. He's just an ultra, ultra competitive guy that when the puck drops and the game starts, he wants to win so desperately and will do anything to keep that black rubber thing out of our net," Carbery said.