Braden Holtby had quite the week to get the Capitals back on their feet after a rough October. From a win over Arizona, a near shutout on Pittsburgh for his 200th, and a good outing last night against the Oilers, the NHL recognized the Holtbeast by naming him the NHL’s Third Star of the Week.
Holtby was 3-0 this week with a 1.27 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage over the course of those impressive games. Additionally, Holtby has also won his last six starts in goal, helping the Caps climb back up in the Metropolitan Division Standings.
Besides Holtby, the league recognized forwards Nikita Kucherov (second star) of the Lightning and Jason Zucker (first star) of the Wild for their impressive weeks.
Holtby is the third Capital to win this honor, joining Alex Ovechkin (week ending 10/8) and Nicklas Backstrom (week ending 10/15).
FROM THE CAPITALS MEDIA RELEASE
Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby has been named the NHL’s “Third Star” for the week ending Nov. 12, the NHL announced today.
Holtby went 3-0-0 with a 1.27 goals-against average and .952 save percentage to backstop the Capitals (10-7-1, 21 points) to three wins in four contests. He opened the week with 24 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory against the Arizona Coyotes Nov. 6. Playing his 319th career game, Holtby made 27 stops to earn his 200th NHL win in a 4-1 triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins Nov. 10. In doing so, he became the second-fastest goaltender in League history to record 200 victories, behind Ken Dryden (309). Holtby added 29 saves, plus three shootout stops, in a 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers Nov. 12. The 28-year-old Lloydminster, Sask., native – who has won six straight games – shares second place in the NHL with 10 victories in 13 outings this season (2.35 GAA, .927 SV%).
The Caps look to continue their hot November tomorrow night against the defending Western Conference champion Nashville Predators. Holtby, or Grubauer depending on who gets the nod, hopes to not have any catfish thrown on the ice.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
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