PHILADELPHIA — Braden Holtby left the Washington Capitals’ practice on Tuesday morning after a collision with a teammate, but coach Barry Trotz said he has no lingering concern over Holtby’s availability for Game 4 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Holtby collided with one of the team’s top-six forwards, who wear red jerseys, just over halfway through the 45-minute session. Trotz said he did not see the collision and that Holtby told goaltending coach Mitch Korn it would be best if he left practice after being bumped.
“Basically, he just got nicked up a little bit, went off, and we’ll see where he is tomorrow,” Trotz said.
When asked if he anticipates Holtby playing on Wednesday, Trotz said he wouldn’t talk about the roster, “but I don’t anticipate Braden not playing.” Asked if he would consider calling up a goaltender for Wednesday to potentially play back up Philipp Grubauer, Trotz said he would, but “I don’t need to, though. If something is, we will, but I don’t have any plans to do that.”
Holtby had 31 saves on Monday in the Capitals’ 6-1 victory over the Flyers, giving them a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. He has allowed no more than one goal in 16 of his 19 career playoff wins, including his last 13, and ranks first among active goaltenders in career playoff goals-against average and save percentage.
He tied Martin Brodeur’s record of 48 wins by a goaltender this season and finished in the top 10 in both save percentage and goals-against average.
Grubauer, who has served as Holtby’s backup all season, played in 22 games. He filled in for Holtby in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders a year ago when Holtby fell ill.
Trotz said he had no concerns about inserting Grubauer, especially given his performance last year.
“We already threw him that bone last year,” Trotz said. “He’s fine. He’s a good goaltender.”
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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