Braden Holtby: Okay At Hockey

May 8, 2015 10:47 am

Photo: Bruce Bennett

Despite what the national media might tell you, Braden Holtby has been a very good goalie since entering the NHL, and not just since Mitch Korn became his goalie coach. Given the opportunity this season, and freed from the curse of Adam Oates, and yes, under the master tutelage of Korn, Holtby has firmly planted himself among the best goalies in the league. And now, in the 2015 playoffs, Holtby is having himself a spring for the ages so far. (No, I don’t believe in jinxes.)

People don’t seem to be grasping exactly how good Holtby has been. This is exactly how good Holtby has been.

Since 1918, 244 goalies have played in 8 or more playoff games in a single season. Holtby’s 2015 save percentage of .950 percent ranks first.
Since 1918, 103 goalies have played in 15 or more career playoff games. Holtby’s career play save percentage of .937 percent ranks second.
Holtby isn’t just the beneficiary of a stingy defense that keeps shots “to the outside.” According to War on Ice, of the 16 goalies to have played 240-plus minutes in the 2015 playoffs, Holtby’s high-danger save percentage is 4th, at .886 percent. This ranks first among goalies whose teams have not been eliminated.
Ten goalies have played 24-plus shorthanded minutes in these playoffs. According to War on Ice, Holtby’s save percentage of .977 percent ranks second. This ranks first among goalies on a team that has not yet been eliminated by over 7 percent.

This isn’t a case of Holtby simply getting hot at the right time or having a career season. Since entering the league in 2010, Holtby’s 5-on-5 save percentage ranks sixth of the 35 goalies that have played 6000-plus minutes in that span. Here’s the pretty good company he’s keeping, via War on Ice.