Courtesy: CapsSnaps.com
The Washington Capitals were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 Tuesday night at Verizon Center as the goaltending was the primary issue for head coach Adam Oates.
Braden Holtby was yanked in favor of Philipp Grubauer as the reserve goaltender played between the pipes for the Capitals over the last 20 minutes of the contest. While he made nine stops in the last stanza, the concern over Holtby’s performance brings about questions of depth and long-term success for Washington.
Being that the season is just 28 games in for Washington in 2013-14, it’s not time to panic, but depth and longevity is something needed over an 82-game marathon. Holtby had a career year last year during the abridged 2012-13 season as he set highs in starts, wins and shutouts — GAA, SV % and total goals allowed were higher due to more opportunities to play. However, it was a completely different mentality night in and night out and his last start showed he needs support.
The 24-year-old has started in five consecutive games for the Capitals and his last day off was Nov. 22 against the Montreal Canadiens at Verizon Center. An injury to Michal Neuvirth Nov. 29 during pre-game warm ups forced Holtby into action and he stood tall in a 3-2 shootout win over the Canadiens. Neuvirth’s injury to his right ankle was caused when he stepped on a puck on his way out of the tunnel and while Oates says it isn’t serious, the backup goalie hasn’t skated regularly other than just a few sessions here and there with the other goaltenders.
Neuvirth is eligible to return Saturday from the injured reserve list when Washington faces the Nashville Predators at home, but it remains to be seen on whether or not he will be activated, if Holtby will start of if Grubauer will get the call. The extended rest from having a Tuesday game to Saturday should help Holtby, but depth is everything come playoff time and Washington knows this.
They also know that while they need healthy goalies, they need better performances from their defensive pairings. The goalies are seeing entirely too many shots as the Capitals have been blitzed for at least 30 shots on goal toward their goalie in 24 of 28 games. That’s something general Manager George McPhee and Oates can address by making transactions, but the guys in front of Holtby, Neuvirth and Grubauer have to be better because not everyone can be dealt.
The old saying “less is more” is never applied to goalies or lines on a professional hockey team. The more, the merrier and the Capitals need all of their horses healthy as much as possible, especially between their netminders.
