The Washington Capitals are going back to their No. 1 netminder, as Braden Holtby will be manning the blue paint Tuesday for Game 3 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Head coach Barry Trotz decided to go with his - supposed - backup Philipp Grubauer in Games 1 and 2. But after Grubauer allowed eight goals on 49 shots through five playoff periods, Trotz made the switch back to his longtime starter.
Holtby replaced Grubauer in Game 2 after the second period and stopped seven of eight shots. The Capitals still lost - going down 2-0 in the series - but that was apparently enough for Trotz to start Holtby for the crucial Game 3 showdown in Columbus on Tuesday night.
Despite never getting past the second round, Holtby is a proven playoff performer, registering a 2.00 goals-against average, a sparkling .932 save percentage, and four shutouts across 60 career games.
Washington will certainly need more of that from its goaltender to claw its way back into the series and get its first win of the 2018 postseason.
Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena.
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