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.
In the weeks leading up to the 2018 NHL Draft, theScore NHL prospect writer Hannah Stuart breaks down 10 of the most notable draft-eligible prospects. The first edition focuses on Rasmus Dahlin.
Between finding success against much older competition in the Swedish Hockey League, winning a Champions Hockey League championship, and playing for Sweden at the Olympics, Rasmus Dahlin has already had an illustrious hockey career - and he didn't turn 18 until April 13.
Drawing comparisons to players like Victor Hedman and garnering labels like "franchise-defining," Dahlin has been the consensus top pick for this year’s draft since before the 2017 edition ended. Elite prospects Andrei Svechnikov and Filip Zadina, who would likely be a formidable one-two combo in a Dahlin-free draft year, are distant runners-up.
Only one question remains: What team will be lucky enough to win the lottery and select him first overall?
Year in review
Dahlin's performance at the 2018 World Junior Championship in Buffalo affirmed his position as the consensus top prospect. In addition to winning a silver medal with Sweden, Dahlin went home with six assists in seven games, the award for best defenseman, and a spot on the tournament All-Star Team. While a single international tournament shouldn't make or break a prospect’s position, it can show how they compare to their peers - and Dahlin is light years ahead.
Dahlin also made the Swedish Olympic roster, and was the youngest player on the team at 17 (the next youngest player was 24). Though he only appeared in two games, the fact that Sweden's management group didn’t feel they could leave him at home indicates they think highly of him. You don't take an under-18 defenseman to arguably the biggest hockey tournament in the world unless you're confident he can handle the competition.
When he wasn’t playing in international tournaments, Dahlin was on the ice for Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League. In 41 SHL games, where he plays against grown men (some with NHL experience), Dahlin had 20 points, including seven goals. He also had two goals in the seven Champions Hockey League games he appeared in with Frolunda, and was named the Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year.
One tournament Dahlin won't appear in is this year's U18 World Championship. He's had a full season and, with the draft combine and draft coming up, he's taking a well-deserved break.
Areas of strength
High-level hockey sense and excellent skating are the hallmarks of today's elite defenseman. Dahlin has both these qualities in spades. He's almost unbelievably dynamic, dominating both ends of the ice through a combination of impeccable defensive positioning and outstanding offensive creativity. He's got top-notch speed and acceleration and he's also agile, with excellent edge work.
His production so far is quite promising. If you want a glimpse of his potential future (bear in mind that many variables play into development, and this is only a best-case scenario), look no further than Erik Karlsson. In his 17-year-old J20 SuperElit season, Karlsson scored 0.97 points per game. In his age-16 season in the same league, Dahlin scored 0.92 points per game, and his goals-per-game rate was slightly higher than Karlsson's - 0.38 compared to 0.34.
Areas of improvement
Looking for flaws in Dahlin's game turns up the scouting equivalent of a 404 file-not-found page - not surprising for a generational talent. At only 183 pounds, it’s likely Dahlin will put on muscle, making him even more difficult to move off the puck and allowing him to throw harder hits. However, his game isn’t particularly lacking in these areas at the moment.
Scouting reports
"A smart two-way defenseman with the skating, puck-handling, vision and intelligence required to play in the NHL as early as next season." - Mike Morreale, NHL.com
"Exceptional two-way defenseman with a well-documented resume who has been succeeding as a teenager playing against much older competition. Dahlin is an explosive, dynamic puck wizard who thinks the game at an elite level." - Steve Kournianos, TheDraftAnalyst.com
Did you know?
In the 2016-17 season, Dahlin was the most penalized player in the J20 SuperElit league with 56 penalty minutes.
With an April 2000 birthday, Dahlin is one of the younger players in the 2018 draft. For comparison, fellow defensive prospect Evan Bouchard (ranked in the top 10 by many scouting services) has an October 1999 birthday. Due to player aging curves, research shows that drafting younger when possible is the right choice - even when the younger prospect doesn’t dramatically outpace the elder one in skill.
The Nashville Predators netminder was pulled less than five minutes into the second period of Game 3 versus the Colorado Avalanche after allowing four goals on just 15 shots.
Rinne is considered a favorite for the Vezina Trophy after he finished the regular season with 42 wins in 59 games, alongside a .927 save percentage and 2.31 GAA.
Everybody knew Taylor Hall was chomping at the bit for his first taste of playoff hockey, and he sure is making the most of it.
Hall notched two points in his playoff debut in Game 1 last week, and facing a must-win situation Monday night versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Hart Trophy candidate delivered yet another huge performance.
In over 22 minutes of action, Hall collected three points. He scored the Devils' first goal of the game, got the primary assist on the power play to tie things at 2-2 in the third period, and added another primary helper on the eventual game-winner as New Jersey came away with a 5-2 victory.
The Devils now trail 2-1 in the series.
Hall made a big-time statement in the regular season by netting a career-high 93 points in 76 games, and based on his postseason showing so far, he doesn't appear ready to slow down.
Johansson suffered the injury on Jan. 23 after he was on the receiving end of an elbow courtesy of Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand. He was then sidelined for the final 35 contests of the regular season, plus the two opening playoff games against the Lightning.
The Devils acquired Johansson from the Washington Capitals last offseason, and will hope he can provide a boost after dropping their first two games against the Lightning.
Johansson netted 14 points in 29 games this season. He scored 58 points with the Capitals last year.
Humboldt Broncos President Kevin Garinger released a statement Monday detailing how the organization will manage the more than $12 million in donations received following the tragic bus accident that killed 16 people:
Going forward, the Broncos' board of directors, in tandem with their legal counsel, MLT Aikins, and executives at GoFundMe.com head office, have determined that the Humboldt Broncos GoFundMe campaign will remain open for two more days to allow for any additional online donations and will then be closed and taken offline on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 11:59 pm MT.
All funds donated will be transferred to a new initiative called the Humboldt Broncos Memorial Fund. An advisory committee will then be established to decide on the allocations of the funds.
The HumboldtStrong Community Foundation has also been established in order to support Broncos' players, employees, families, first responders, and others affected by the tragedy.
The Boston Bruins forward suited up for Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing the first two games of the series due to a head injury.
Nash sustained the injury against the Florida Panthers on March 31 after an errant point shot struck his ear. The veteran forward required more than 40 stitches as a result and was later sidelined for the final five games of the regular season.
Through 76 games this season, Nash tallied 15 goals and 26 assists.
Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters has a few days to think before locking himself into another season behind Carolina's bench.
Peters has until Friday to potentially exercise an exit clause in his contract, team president and interim general manager Don Waddell confirmed Monday to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer.
Waddell said teams have asked permission to interview Peters, who has an annual salary of $1.6 million.
Regardless of Peters' decision, it sounds like new owner Tom Dundon may not be done deliberating either.
Waddell on Peters: "I don't think he's fighting to get out the door. But that's his right, that's in his contract. He's got to weigh out all his options." Waddell noted Canes owner Tom Dundon "has options too."
Peters has held his position for the past four seasons, leading the Hurricanes to a regular-season record of 137-138-53 and zero playoff appearances. He's set to serve as Canada's bench boss at the World Championship in May.
Schneider lost his starting job down the stretch to backup Keith Kinkaid, who'd been more consistent over the second half of the season.
However, after Kinkaid allowed nine goals on 46 shots through the first two games against the Lightning, head coach John Hynes is going with the veteran who was supposed to be the starter all season long.
The Devils, trailing 2-0 in the series, got a bit of positive health news, as forward Marcus Johansson will be in the lineup. He's missed 35 regular-season and two postseason games due to a concussion suffered from a vicious hit from Boston Bruins pest Brad Marchand in January.
Johansson was taking rushes at practice on a line with Patrick Maroon and Pavel Zacha.
Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at the Prudential Center.
