Washington Capitals: Full line combination predictions for 2018-19

Goalies

Starter: Braden Holtby

Going into the playoffs last year, it looked as though Braden Holtby’s future as the Capitals’ starter was in question. He exhausted himself with a heavy workload over the last three seasons, and the affects came in full force in February to March. Phillip Grubauer took over seamlessly, and practically led the Capitals to winning the Metropolitan division. Grubauer got the starting job in the playoffs and dropped the ball, leaving the door open for Holtby, and he did not disappoint. Holtby ended all doubts with the performance of a lifetime over the next 23 games, and led the Capitals to their first ever Stanley Cup. With Grubauer traded, there are no doubts as to who runs the show in Washington. Holtby is going nowhere.

Backup: Phoenix Copley

With the departure of Phillip Grubauer, the Capitals now have to turn to the unproven Phoenix Copley to back up Holtby. The leash for him is tight however, because if he struggles and costs Washington games at all, MacLellan had publicly said they will waste no time replacing him. Ilya Samsonov will spend the year in Hershey to adjust to the North American style of play, but there are plenty of backup goalies available by trade if need be.

Copley could work out just fine, and be sustainable enough to take the pressure off of Holtby to keep him from exhausting himself.