Photo credit: Justin K. Aller
After having one of their best periods of play all season, the Washington Capitals completely collapsed in the second, allowing the Pittsburgh Penguins to score five unanswered goals. Five. That’s painful to type. It was more painful to watch. Michal Neuvirth, who started the game in net, was pulled mid-way through for Braden Holtby after looking shaky on two goals. Holtby fared no better, giving up three goals on his first twelve shots.
There was one good moment however — a spectacular, amazing, did-that-just-really-happen one. On one of the Penguins bajillion (maybe more) power plays in the second period, Evgeny Malkin found Sidney Crosby streaking wide open in the slot. As Crosby took the pass, he attempted to tap the puck into the wide open net on his forehand.
Holtby, however, had other ideas.
As the puck starts careening towards the yawning net, Holtby throws his paddle down in a move of desperation.
GIF by welshhockeyfan
The play was reminiscent of Semyon Varlamov’s amazing stick save on Crosby in Game One of the Caps Pens series in 2009.
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