Monday night, the Washington Capitals played in their first potential elimination game of the 2018 postseason. And they delivered one of their best performances of the year.
Braden Holtby stopped 24 shots in the Capitals’ suffocating 3-0 win. The shutout was Holtby’s first of the season.
The Holtbeast was cool, calm, and collected throughout the entire night, and after I reviewed some tweets on social media, I think I know his secret.
His pregame outfit was on point, y’all. Check out this fine wardrobe choice. Holtby wore a brown fedora with a navy-pinstriped jacket and a canary yellow pocket square.
“Hello chums, are you ready for a rousing sporting event this fine evening?” @russianmachine #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/k1Zt1V9RV2
— Ryan (@villanry) May 22, 2018
He’s smiling and high-fiving people. He’s got a s$%^-eating grin.
it's better with music pic.twitter.com/zYRSYUh8kE
— Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) May 23, 2018
You guys, this is before an elimination game. After losing three-straight games! In the Eastern Conference Final!!
Braden holtby looks like an Amish CEO pic.twitter.com/EYOl3by7zl
— stanley cup loading…(68.75%) (@luca_marquardt) May 21, 2018
This is the definition of infinite chill. The man has no worries. He’s carrying his coffee and his phone in the same hand. He has zero f*cks. This is the look of a man who just listened to the entire discography of Jack Johnson in his car on the way downtown.
Only @PKSubban1 can pull off the hat. Braden Holtby cannot. pic.twitter.com/nlrpeDmu6R
— Eric (@espitt) May 21, 2018
Whatever Holtby does in high-pressure situations to keep himself oblivious of the high-stakes hockey he’s about to play, it’s working.
Check out these stats tweeted out after the game last night.
Braden Holtby turned aside all 24 shots he faced as the @Capitals blanked the Lightning to snap their three-game win streak and force #Game7 in the Eastern Conference Final. #NHLStats #TBLvsWSH #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/owmc1unfDl
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 22, 2018
#Caps Braden Holtby now owns a career 1.87 GAA in 12 postseason games when facing elimination pic.twitter.com/JUWlqYM8r7
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 22, 2018
Braden Holtby of the @Capitals is the seventh goaltender in NHL history to record his first shutout of the season (regular-season or playoffs) in a game in which his team faced elimination. #NHLStats #TBLvsWSH #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/YHy00HPphF
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 22, 2018
Braden Holtby is the second goaltender in @Capitals history to record a shutout in an elimination game, joining Semyon Varlamov in Game 5 of the 2009 Conference Quarterfinals vs. NYR (4-0 W). #NHLStats #TBLvsWSH #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Uz4pY8TutP
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 22, 2018
Dang.
Braden Holtby + stress: they’re just better together.
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