Comments on: The Holtby Shutout

By: Devoo8

Devoo8 — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:12:33 +0000

I completely agree with this. Especially with the point Edmonton didn’t have high quality shots. Edmonton is ranked pretty low in the leauge so it isn’t the biggest win Caps have. Holtby is gaining respect but to really understand a shut-out the quality of shots really does need to be in perspective.

I’m glad Holtby shut-out, but keep in mind Caps still have Varly and Neuvy,and the team still hasn’t pick their starting goalie yet.

I’ve always had faith in Holtby, its funny too see all these bandwagons get on Holtby who earlier in the year doubted him.

Congrats Holtby,

By: Rusty

Rusty — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:45:23 +0000

Consistency. Fresh in everyone’s mind is 105 minutes of hockey, plus three shots in the shootout, during which Holtby has made some dazzling saves and never been dented. The question is whether he’ll pull a Perrault and become subpar when the excitement of moving up to the NHL wears off. We definitely need to see more of him in the crease; the stretch up to the playoffs is a good time to see whether Braden can handle it night after night.

As far as the playoffs go, it seems you have Varly who is the most talented yet least consistent; Neuvy, who is solid (but only solid, in my opinion, and not much more) yet more consistently solid; and Holtby, the wildcard. Unless Bruce gives Braden some more opportunities to prove himself, I expect to see Neuvy in the crease come playoff time.

By: RedArmyLine

RedArmyLine — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:20:46 +0000

Worth a read: http://www.behindthenethockey.com/2011/2/23/2005954/the-importance-of-a-goalies-first-15-games

By: Evan

Evan — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:49:44 +0000

well…….good point but…….Go Holtby Go

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:50:10 +0000

@Oakton Messiah – Thank you. I’ve fixed.

By: 28ISGREAT

28ISGREAT — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:43:41 +0000

Excellent post! Strikes just the right tone of cautious optimism and cautious skepticism.

I don’t count myself as one of the newly minted Holtby fans you see teeming around commenter boards of late. To say he’s starting goalie material (or should even been considered as such) is, IMHO, unwarranted given what little he’s actually demonstrated to date.

He’s clearly third string when compared to Neuvy and Varly and only getting call ups based on injuries – and not necessarily on the belief within management that he’s the right guy for the game at hand. At this point, he’s merely the “right guy” when options A and B fail. I dont read that as a vote of confidence in him being a starting goalie.

Of course, at some point (perhaps next season) he’ll earn that honor – but not now. I think its wise to keep expectations in line here – and not elevate Holtby into something he isn’t (yet).

By: Oakton Messiah

Oakton Messiah — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:42:52 +0000

Neuvy and Varly are over 21, not under.

By: missin44

missin44 — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:14:40 +0000

I agree with everything you say, still regardless the fact that 3 goalies, all under 21 and 3 shutouts speaks for it’s self. I think it speaks well for the Caps future in net.

By: Neil - RMNB

Neil - RMNB — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:17:53 +0000

@TBoosch Have to disagree on the degree of talent “deepness.” The *potential* is certainly high, but we are not close to sure of how talented they are. We would ened about 2,000 even strength shots against to start to get a sense of their true talent level. For instance, we can be 95% sure that Holtby’s “true talent” level lies somewhere between a .891 and .961 save%. .891 is severely below average while .961 would put him among the super-elite. We just don’t know.

@Greg and his two games in Nov (19 & 22) where he gave up 8 goals on 28 shots against were way UNIMPRESSIVE. It cuts both ways. Which is the “true” Holtby??

I will say I think the talk of trading one is also VERY premature. These goalies are barely into their RFA years, have significant injury concerns and are still huge question marks in regard to future ability and production. I don’t foresee the org trading any of them for years.

By: BobbyG

BobbyG — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:02:57 +0000

Another awesome stat. To think it was the Caps goaltending that was so suspect (by some) at the start of the season. They have turned out to be the biggest positive surprises IMO.

BTW, I don’t know what has happened to this team lately, but they should bottle it and stash it away for the playoffs. For the first time in a very long while, I’m now feeling very good about their chances to go far in the playoffs. Maybe all the adversity they had to deal with and overcome–the 8 game losing streak, the injuries, etc–will pay big dividends in the postseason. At least I hope so.