Braden Holtby was benched for the third period after giving up four goals on 22 shots. The Holtbeast was replaced in net by rookie goaltender Ilya Samsonov.
“I just felt like it was the right move at the time. That’s something we talked about as a staff and I felt comfortable doing it. I let [Ilya] know as soon as the second period was over that he would be going in,” Capitals head coach Todd Reirden said.
Samsonov and the Capitals responded, scoring five unanswered goals and pulling out a thrilling 6-4 victory over the New York Islanders. Because the Caps ultimately tied the game with Samsonov in net, he became the goalie of record and accomplished some more history in the process.
Samsonov is the only goaltender in NHL history to win each of his first nine career road games in one season and one of just two goaltenders in NHL history to win each of his first eight career road games (Brent Johnson: Feb. 26, 1999 through Jan. 13, 2001 with St. Louis).
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 18, 2020
After making seven third period saves, Samsonov won his ninth consecutive game on the road in a single season to start his career – a new NHL
Ilya Samsonov earned his ninth straight road win and 10th straight win overall against the Islanders.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 18, 2020
The Capitals enter their bye in first place and will perhaps have a goaltending controversy when they return to Arlington.
Braden Holtby watching from the tunnel pic.twitter.com/EOf4lWlHBW
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) January 18, 2020
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Islanders
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington
