Capitals, fans react to Holtby’s superb stick save to preserve Game 2

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times - Thursday, May 31, 2018

Braden Holtby can’t see your social media praise for his save.

“I try to disconnect myself from social media,” Holtby said. “We’re a group trying to win hockey games, and whoever has to step up to make plays, we’re all there as a team to support each other. … We have a goal in mind that will be a lot bigger than some save on social media.”

The ever-grounded goalie kept his composure in the aftermath of a stick save late in the third period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final that fans and teammates were quick to praise as one of the best saves in hockey history. At the very least, the play preserved the Washington Capitals’ 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights that evened the series 1-1.

We gotta see that again. pic.twitter.com/XzSdEdopuD
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) May 31, 2018

Jay Beagle called it “maybe the save of a lifetime.” Capitals coach Barry Trotz went a different route, an old, reliable line he’s used all postseason.

“To me, it was the hockey gods. They even it up from last game, when we could have tied it up (and) we didn’t,” Trotz said. “I thought Braden was real good. Like I said, when we play the right way, the hockey gods always sort of even it out. You know I always talk about that.”

Alex Ovechkin was caught looking like this on the bench following the save:

Ovechkin can’t believe Holtby saved that. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/77k8csSAE7
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) May 31, 2018

“Thank God he’s our goalie,” Ovechkin said. “He’s over there when we needed him. It was probably save of the year for sure.”

Here’s more of how fans reacted at the viewing party at Capital One Arena and on social media:

AP photo of The Save from John Locher. pic.twitter.com/8tvpUiZdoj
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) May 31, 2018

Holtby’s incredible save captured real time. Wow pic.twitter.com/e7KTjgo2QR
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 31, 2018

You talking about a #STICKSAVE!!! 😨😱🤯
— *Joshua R. Norman (@J_No24) May 31, 2018

We still can’t believe Braden Holtby made the save. This dude can’t believe it either. https://t.co/sQ0AwqOq4l pic.twitter.com/PC2cv0cFZM
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) May 31, 2018