What many Caps fans expected has happened: Bradeb Holtby, along with Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop and Los Angeles Kings netminder Jonathan Quick, have been named Vezina Trophy finalists, as voted by the league’s General Managers.
Holtby finished the 2015-16 season with a 48-9-7 record, 2.20 goals-against average (GAA), .922 save percentage, and three shutouts. He tied future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur’s all-time record for most wins in a season and ranked first in the NHL in wins and is currently the playoff leader in goals-against average (0.84), shutouts (two), wins (four), and save percentage (.968).
Holtby is vying to become the third goaltender in Capitals franchise history to win the Vezina Trophy, joining Jim Carey (1995-96) and Olie Kolzig (1999-00). Holtby, 26, posted a 48-9-7 record this season with three shutouts, a 2.20 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. The 6’2”, 217-pound goaltender earned his 48th win of the season on April 9 at St. Louis, tying Martin Brodeur (48, 2006-07) for first place on the NHL’s single-season wins list. Holtby (66 games played) secured his 48th win of the season in 12 fewer games than Brodeur (78 games played). Holtby has posted a 149-60-25 record with 23 shutouts, a 2.37 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage in 244 career NHL games with Washington.
Since the start of the 2012-13 season, he ranks first among NHL goaltenders in wins (135) and tied for second in shutouts (20). Holtby, drafted by Washington in the fourth round, 93rd overall, in the 2008 NHL Draft, was the 10th goaltender selected in the 2008 NHL Draft.
“Do we have two guys who are just playing for second place here?” #HoltBeast #VezinaBeast #Holtby4Vezina #RockTheRedhttps://t.co/wj5q0sMLFk
— #RockTheRed (@washcaps) April 27, 2016
Ben Bishop finished the season with a 35-21-4 record, 2.06 GAA, .926 save percentage, and six shutouts.
Jonathan Quick finished the campaign with a 40-23-5 record, 2.22 GAA, a .918 save percentage, and five shutouts.
The 2016 NHL Awards will be held on Wednesday, June 22, at The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s state-of-the-art concert and entertainment venue.
By Michael Fleetwood
