Capitals: Breaking down what Braden Holtby brings to ASG 2020
For the fifth season in a row Washington Capitals netminder Braden Holtby is heading to the All Star Game and he more than deserves it.
It seems like it’s deja vu all over again. Alex Ovechkin got voted into the All Star Game. Once again, he’ll skip. In his place representing the Washington Capitals will be Braden Holtby and John Carlson for the second straight year looking to help the Metropolitan Division for bragging rights across the league in the 3-on-3 tournament slate.
Holtby’s five trips to the All Star Game is tied for the second-most in franchise history. It’s a three-way tie between Holtby, Peter Bondra and Rod Langway while Ovechkin has been selected to the All Star Game 11 times.
Holtby’s five selections is the most by a Capitals netminder. He joins an elite group of just three other active goaltenders to play in five NHL All Star Games, the likes of Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers as well as Marc-Andre Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights.
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This season Holtby carries a 17-7-4 record with a 2.99 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage in the final year of his contract. It’s no question he’ll be due a raise by season’s end whether it be with the Caps or elsewhere.
Holtby has allowed two goals or less in 12 of his 29 games this season, going 11-0-1 during those contests. Holtby had a dominant month from Oct. 18 to Nov. 18, leading the Caps to an 11-game point streak.
Per the press release from the Caps, Holtby is the only netminder in Capitals history to post three point streaks of 11 or more during his time with the franchise. He also had point streaks in the 2015-16 season as well as the 2016-17 season.
Holtby is the fifth active goaltender to have three point streaks of 11 games joining Fleury, Pekka Rinne, Sergei Bobrovsky and Tuuka Rask. Holtby also earned 11 wins through his first 15 decisions for the second time in his career.
Holtby is one of two netminders that will represent the Metropolitan Division at the All Star Game. The other is Joonas Korpisalo of the Columbus Blue Jackets. It’s likely the two netminders will split time in the crease during the tournament with Holtby getting a look either the first or second half of their first contest.
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The All Star Game will take place on Jan. 25 with puck drop set for 8 p.m. from St. Louis.