WASHINGTON — Throughout Capital One Arena on Saturday, “Holtby” chants and hymns of praise for the Capitals goaltender filled the air. Not only was he sensational in Washington’s 4-3 overtime win in Game 5, but he has been a force in helping the Capitals bounce back against Columbus.
Earlier this week, Washington needed saving, a guiding light. The Capitals were trailing 2-0 to begin their postseason campaign, and the Blue Jackets seemed to figure out Philipp Grubauer and Washington’s defense. Holtby answered the call.
“You don’t ever want to be in that situation as a team,” Holtby said after stopping 39 shots, including six in overtime, to help the Capitals take a 3-2 series lead. “It’s one of those things where you just try and do your job.”
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Holtby relieved Grubauer in the third period of Game 2 after the latter surrendered eight goals on 49 shots through the series' first six periods. Head coach Barry Trotz said the decision didn’t revolve around just the goaltending, but the entire team as he tried to ignite a spark.
Despite struggles during the regular season and career-worst stats, the 28-year-old netminder has been a force for the Capitals since taking over in net. In his three starts and four playoff games so far, Holtby has registered a 1.66 GAA and .936 save percentage.
#HoltBeast #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/wHkORVhimq
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 21, 2018
“It’s just trying to clear your head,” Holtby said of his mentality in returning to the crease. "That’s what the last little bit of practice has been for, is just preparing for any situation where the team needs you.”
As the series has evolved and appeared to turn in the Capitals’ favor, Holtby has rescued the team and put them on his shoulders. His work in bailing out his teammates includes shutting down 13 consecutive power-play opportunities for Columbus.
“I think our special teams do a good job,” Alex Ovechkin said after Game 5, in which Washington took five penalties. “Holts was unbelievable.”
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So far, the series has revolved around goaltending. Sergei Bobrovsky has been outstanding for Columbus, making big saves in key moments and slamming the door on Washington’s top players, but of late, Holtby has been stealing the storyline and rewriting the narrative.
Yet ANOTHER Bob-robbery on Ovi. 🚓 pic.twitter.com/77a0s8eEM8
— Sporting News NHL (@sn_nhl) April 21, 2018
“He’s one of the best goalies,” center Evgeny Kuznetsov said. “I feel like this series, it’s all about goaltender. They play unbelievable.”
As the Capitals have dominated the last three games and retaken the series from Columbus, Holtby acknowledged the team’s recent strides.
“We’re just trying to make little adjustments here and there, trying to execute a little better, trying to mentally prepare a little better and waiting for our opportunities,” he said. “In order to win a playoff series, you need to keep making those little adjustments and pile them all together and keep pushing forward.”
The Capitals have the opportunity to eliminate the Blue Jackets and in Game 6 advance to the second round. According to Holtby, it won’t be an easy win, and the team will evaluate what it needs to do to put the series away.
“It’s going to be the best game yet of the series. Both teams aren’t really giving an inch, fighting for every little bit out there,” he said. “We know especially by now how much we respect them as a team. In order for us to have success, we’re going to have to step back from this one, regroup, look for those little things we can work on and push forward and keep fighting."