Fansided

NHL Playoffs 2017: 5 reasons Capitals can win Stanley Cup

By Dave Stevenson

Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Apr 5, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) keels on the ice during a timeout against the New York Rangers in the second period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 2-0, and clinched the Metropolitan Division and the President’s Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) keels on the ice during a timeout against the New York Rangers in the second period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 2-0, and clinched the Metropolitan Division and the President’s Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Braden Holtby

The Capitals secret weapon spends about 60 minutes a night between the pipes. Braden Holtby is one of the best goalies in the league, having won the Vezina Trophy in 2015-16. He should repeat as a Vezina finalist and has a quality chance of defending his title. In many ways, Holtby’s 2016-17 season was better than his 2015-16 season.

He holds the keys to their postseason success. Holtby has been huge in the playoffs. Of any goaltender with at least 10 postseason starts, he has the best save percentage. Ever since Holtby led the Caps to an upset of the Boston Bruins in the 2011-12 postseason, he’s thrived during the months of April and May.

Washington has rolled during the 2017 calendar year. Holtby’s been a huge part of it. He has yet to lose to an Eastern Conference foe with a 20-0-2 record against his conference.

Holtby has done very well against the Penguins, Rangers and Blue Jackets. Conveniently, the Capitals must go through at least one of those teams and possibly two of them to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Washington has an ace in the hole because not only do they have a very talented team, they have a goalie who can carry them through the hard times.

Home/NHL Playoffs