Holtby was one of the biggest stories in the playoffs last year as he helped carry the Caps to within a victory of the Eastern Conference finals by putting up a 1.95 goals-against average and .935 save percentage. At 22 years old, he showed the poise of a veteran.
Holtby will start the regular-season finale against the Boston Bruins as he and the Caps get into playoff pattern.
A groin injury kept Laich out for the first 28 games of the season with a groin injury, and he has missed the past three. He suffered a lower-body injury Thursday that coach Adam Oates said negatively impacts Laich's groin.
Before Sunday night, the Washington Capitals' backup goaltender hadn't played a game since March 16, and he hadn't started at home since Feb. 5.
Brooks Laich will see a groin specialist Tuesday as the Washington Capitals hope to pinpoint exactly what's wrong with the injured forward.
Braden Holtby doesn't have the heaviest workload among goaltenders around the NHL. He's not even in the top 10 in starts. But Holtby is undoubtedly the man for the Washington Capitals, having started 10 straight games. He's 7-2-1 with 2.25 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in that time.
Missing Sunday's game at the Philadelphia Flyers was probably a necessary precaution, given that Neuvirth did not feel well even the morning after taking a shot from Alex Ovechkin that knocked his mask off.
Count the Washington Capitals among a swath of teams in the middle ground between buying and selling, as they went into Monday night just one point out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference but also found themselves in 11th place.
The Caps recalled Philipp Grubauer to serve as Braden Holtby's backup Sunday night at the Philadelphia Flyers, and the training staff will keep an eye on Neuvirth.
Braden Holtby was clearly the man, starting 13 of the Washington Capitals' past 14 games, but Neuvirth will get the nod Thursday night at the Carolina Hurricanes.
Wolski broke his 11-game goal drought Tuesday, scoring at a crucial time in the Washington Capitals' victory over the Boston Bruins. But it was his all-around performance that kept the forward in the lineup for Thursday night's game against Florida.
The Caps have trusted Holtby to be their No. 1 goaltender, beginning with last year's playoff run and continuing this season. And he has been better than his 5-6 record, 3.37 goals-against average and .896 save percentage indicate.
Adam Oates made a statement when he yanked goaltender Michal Neuvirth after allowing a soft goal Thursday night. Porous goaltending might not be the most detrimental part of the Washington Capitals' start, but it sure isn't helping.
He changed up his lines again Wednesday in preparation for Thursday night's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This time Marcus Johansson joined Nicklas Backstrom and Troy Brouwer on one line, while Alex Ovechkin remained on right wing alongside Wojtek Wolski and Mike Ribeiro.
Braden Holtby is tasked with stopping a fair share of breakaways and odd-man rushes. But those aren't the scoring chances that the Washington Capitals goaltender fears.
"I always felt like I'm part of the team," Neuvirth said. "I've been here for a while, and I know the guys pretty well. So I never feel that way."
Capitals notes: Brooks Laich sees specialist, status uncertain →
