Courtesy: Washington Times
DALLAS — When the Washington Capitals take on the Dallas Stars tonight, they will do so with their starting goaltender Braden Holtby between the pipes.
Thursday, Holtby struggled mightily in the Capitals’ first home game against the lowly Calgary Flames, allowing three goals on just eleven shots. The 24-year-old was yanked before the end of the first period following the third unanswered goal for the Flames and backup goalie Michael Neuvirth only allowed one goal on 28 shots the rest of the way.
Washington was able to come away with the 5-4 shootout victory, but concerns mounted following the game as Holtby has given up eight goals in 76 minutes of hockey thus far. He hasn’t looked sharp in terms of pinching the posts and has looked lackadaisical at times with the glove, which contributed to the goal he allowed to Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya in the Caps’ 6-4 defeat Tuesday night.
However, despite the early season struggles, head coach Adam Oates remains confident in Holtby and said without a doubt that he will continue to roll with Braden going forward.
This has to be encouraging for the young goaltender who is slated for his first full season of work as the full-time starter. It’s different when you’re the No. 1 goalie in a strike shortened season that felt more like a blitz than an 82-game marathon.
If Holtby doesn’t let his shaky start get the best of him, this could be a big year for the goaltender. Keep in mind, this is a guy who has kept the Capitals in games with stellar net-minding and butterfly abilities in both the regular season and the postseason.
The Capitals face a Dallar Stars team tonight led by newly-acquired center Tyler Seguin and forward Jamie Benn. It will be interesting to see how not only Holtby responds, but also the Capitals defensive pairs in lieu of the lower body injury to Jack Hillen. Given that the Capitals may need another left-handed defenseman, newly-acquired Alexander Urbom may be inserted into the lineup sooner than expected. If not Urbom, expect defenseman Steve Oleksy to make his 2013-14 debut.
