Washington Capitals: 5 keys to keeping the Stanley Cup

By Ron Juckett | Jul 27, 2018

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals hoists the Stanley Cup after the team's 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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BRADEN HOLTBY’S PLAY

Forever known for his Game 2 save in the Finals and his coming off the bench to win Game 3 in double-overtime in Columbus, Braden Holtby’s antics inspired the rest of the Caps. But, his regular season was not good.

Remember, it was Philipp Grubauer who drew the start the first two playoff games against Columbus based on how he finished the year.

Last season was the first time in three years Holtby’s save percentage fell below .920. His .907 was a career-low. And, his 2.99 goals-against average was a career-high by a wide margin. In 2013-14, it was 2.85 before falling to 2.22, 2.20 and 2.07 respectively.

The playoffs saw the old Holtby return with a vengeance. Two huge shutouts, 16 wins and that save brought him back into the top tier of NHL goalies.

But, there are challenges on the horizon. Goalie coach Mitch Korn is now with Trotz on Long Island. Grubauer is in Denver with the Colorado Avalanche. Holtby’s backup is now Pheonix Copley, an unproven goalie with two games of NHL experience.

Holtby need not win another Vezina, but he must get his quality starts percentage above 60 percent again. He is the Caps goalie depth until Copley can prove he belongs.

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