Jose Theodore was the last player off the practice ice Tuesday, just behind Cody McCormick and Kurt Sauer - players not expected to be in the lineup for the Avs tonight when they play the Washington Capitals.

Theodore will not be in the lineup, either. The former Hart Trophy winner, earning $5.5 million this season, will be a backup for the second consecutive game. Second-year player Peter Budaj will get another start, with coach Joel Quenneville rewarding his strong play in goal Monday in a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

"He's played well, and he's earned the opportunity," Quenneville said of Budaj. "We'll come back with him and give him a chance."

Quenneville tried to downplay the significance of benching Theodore, who is off to a mediocre start with a 2-3-1 record and an .877 save percentage. It should not be construed as a slap in the face to Theodore, said Quenneville.

"Not at all. We said at the start of the year that goaltending was one of our strengths, and no matter who's in the net, we feel good about our chances of winning," Quenneville said. "It's competitive, but I think both guys have admiration for one another and root for one another. Jose's going to get back in there, and he's going to get back in there probably several games. We're not getting into controversy here at all. (We told) Peter at the start of the year, 'You get a chance, you get in that net, you want to keep it.' So, he's played three good games, and it's a chance to get another one."

Theodore's last start was Saturday in Montreal, where he allowed eight goals - the most the Avs have given up in a game since moving to Denver in 1995. Many of the goals were difficult to blame on Theodore, including four that came on the power play. But in two of three previous starts before Saturday, he allowed some shaky goals and was the losing goalie.

Theodore took the high road when informed of his situation Tuesday.

"Like any other player, when you play well, you deserve to play," Theodore said. "Right now, Peter's playing well, so it's only logical that he'll play again. The game is about winning, and it's a (game) where, when a guy's hot and he's going to score goals, he's going to play on the first line. And when a goalie is playing like Peter has, well, it's a team here and we're all pushing in the same direction. When I'm playing well, I'm going to be playing a lot of games in a row."

Budaj, who has a 2-0-1 record, 1.67 goals-against average and .944 save percentage, said he still considers Theodore the No. 1 goalie - but has always had the attitude he could challenge for the top job.

"So far, I feel really good, and hopefully I'll keep playing good," Budaj said. "I'm very excited and very thankful for that. Hopefully, I can show the coaching staff that I can play as many games as I can. But you've got to have a short memory in hockey. There's a lot of games, and I've just got to prepare for (tonight). We have a good relationship off the ice, and (Theodore) has helped me out. It's competition, like anywhere else. I want to be a No. 1 goalie, but I know he's the No. 1 goalie right now, and I just want to push him."

Theodore gained the No. 1 job in Montreal early in his career in a similar way. He was playing behind Jeff Hackett - now the Avs' goalie coach - and gained the starting role after getting hot.

"He was playing 50-60 games a year, but I had four- or five-game stretches where I was on my game," Theodore said. "It's a long season. So far, I've had some good games, but Peter's last two games were really strong and he deserves an extra start."