The Washington Capitals’ Sunday evening contest against the Dallas Stars was one that carried with it a mix of emotion as former Capitals goalie Braden Holtby returned to Capital One Arena for the first time since departing from the team after the 2019-20 season in free agency. His last game for the Capitals at Capital One Arena was on March 4, 2020.
The Capitals welcomed Holtby back with the traditional tribute video during the first television break of the game. Holtby was greeted from the Capital One Arena crowd with a thunderous standing ovation and cheers of “Holt-by, Holt-by, Holt-by”.
Forever a Capital.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/6C4hl7MoIJ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 20, 2022
While with the Capitals, Holtby compiled a 282-122-46 record in 468 games, in which he started 458 of them. He had a save percentage of .916 and a goals against average of 2.53. So far for the Dallas Stars, he had a record of 10-10-1.
Holtby is really feeling the love today in his old home. The goaltender spent 10 seasons with the Caps, and it’s safe to say the fans still adore him ❤️@DallasStars | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/ouAW7F4oE0
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) March 20, 2022
His overall record his 513 games played, 501 starts and a record of 299-143-50. His career Goals against is 2.59 and a save percentage of .915. He won a Vezina Trophy in 2015-16 and was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in 2016-17.
Massive and well deserved standing ovation for the return of Braden Holtby !#HOLTBEAST pic.twitter.com/NEiXfakRXK
— Al Koken (@RealSmokinAl) March 20, 2022
After leaving the team, he signed a two year contract with the Vancouver Canucks. When the Canucks bought-out the second year of his contract, Holtby then signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Stars.
Holts feels all your love, @Capitals fans ♥💙
📺 @BallySportsSW | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/GO9hCI7UKh
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 20, 2022
Holtby would spend time with some of the Capitals folks during the third period of the game, seen here chatting with head of Capitals public relations, Sergey Kocharov.
#ALLCAPS Holtby sighting after an amazing Vitek save pic.twitter.com/utpY33Qojd
— Capitals Replays (@capsreplays) March 20, 2022
By Diane Doyle
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Most overrated cap ever.
You sir, are an idiot. Vezina, Stanley, Jennings, etc.
There’s always one that’s craving attention.
Wrong DSP is the most overrated Cap ever.
He got it done in the 2018 postseason.
Welcome back Holts!
Thank you, Holts!