Capitals replace Holtby in goal for 3rd period of Game 2

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) reaches for the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) during the third period of Game 1 in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Thursday, April 27, 2017, in Washington. At front is Capitals defenseman John Carlson. The Penguins won 3-2. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (The Associated Press)

prev next

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby, right, looks on from the bench next to defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9), of Russia, during the third period of Game 2 in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Saturday, April 29, 2017, in Washington. Holtby was pulled from the game after the second period. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (The Associated Press)

Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Phil Kessel (81) celebrates his goal with center Jake Guentzel (59) and Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period of Game 2 in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer (31), of Germany, Saturday, April 29, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (The Associated Press)

Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby was yanked out of the Washington Capitals' net during Game 2 of their series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, replaced in goal by Philipp Grubauer to start the third period Saturday night.

The Capitals began the final period trailing 3-1 after Holtby allowed three goals in the second. Things did not get much better with Grubauer back there: He allowed a goal on the second shot he faced, and another on the fourth, making Pittsburgh's advantage 5-2.

Pittsburgh already won Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series 3-2 at Washington on Thursday.

Holtby won the Vezina as the NHL's top goaltender last year and is one of three finalists this season.

In these playoffs, Holtby has a .911 save percentage and 2.62 goals-against average.

Holtby tied for the league lead with 42 wins for the Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals this season, becoming only the third goaltender in NHL history to record at least 40 in three consecutive years.

Holtby ranked second with a 2.07 GAA and fourth with a .925 save percentage.

Grubauer had 13 wins and a 2.04 GAA as the primary backup. Two years ago for the Capitals, he became the first German-born goalie to start an NHL playoff game.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/capitals-replace-holtby-in-goal-for-3rd-period-of-game-2