In a game that the Capitals likely had no business winning, Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby made 36 saves against the Buffalo Sabres, leading his team to a 2-1 victory.
On one sensational play, an ultra-aggressive Holtby left his cage and slid out to the blue line to stop a breakaway attempt. Later in the night, Holtby over-extended his left leg trying to make a save to the far side of the net. After getting a visit by the Caps trainer, a hobbled Holtby remained in the game for the final two minutes as Buffalo pulled their goaltender for an extra man. Facing a barrage of shots, Holtby stopped them all.
Washington was outshot 37-24 by the Sabres. Holtby’s sensational play earned him first star of the night. He’s won eight of his last 11 starts.
After the game, Evgeny Kuznetsov was asked by the Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan about Holtby’s play. Kuzy, like a Twitter personality thirsty for retweets, called Holtby a “god.”
Kuznetsov on Holtby: “He’s a god, and he’s always saving our ass.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 22, 2018
Kuzy added that Holtby was “always saving our ass.”
You could even say…
Kuznetsov and Holtby have come a long way since 2010 Development Camp.
“He was outstanding all game long,” head coach Todd Reirden said to reporters.
Holtby will backup Pheonix Copley in Ottawa before getting four days off before his next likely start, Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
