Washington Capitals: Top 3 final predictions for Stanley Cup Playoffs

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Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /

#3 Braden Holtby will play like his old self

Braden Holtby will get the start in goal in Monday’s Round Robin game and has an impressive playoff resume. On Wednesday Holtby played in the first two periods of the exhibition game. Holtby stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced.

Prior to the season suspension, Holtby was on pace to record his sixth consecutive season with at least 30 wins, which would have made him the 10th goaltender in NHL history to accomplish that feat and one of just three active goaltenders (Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan Miller each had seven consecutive seasons from 2005-06 to 2011-12).

Holtby enters the playoffs already as the franchise leader in playoff wins with 48, a save percentage of .928 and a goals against average of 2.09. Additionally, Holtby’s .928 playoff save percentage is the highest in NHL history among goaltenders with at least 60 games played, while his 2.09 goals against average is tied for fourth in NHL history (Turk Broada 1.98, Dominik Hasek and Martin Broudeur 2..02, Chris Osgood 2.09).

Holtby’s record before the season was paused was 25-14-6 in 47 starts. His playoff record is 48-41 including a 22-16-7 record in the best playoff run in franchise history that included an iconic save that is still talked about to this day.

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