NHL Playoffs 2012: Braden Holtby Stakes His Claim as Caps Goalie of the Future

There are many reasons why the Washington Capitals blew a golden opportunity to steal Game 1 from the Boston Bruins last night.

Braden Holtby is not one of them.

The 22-year-old rookie was nothing short of spectacular in his NHL playoff debut. He turned aside 29 of 30 shots and was the only reason the Capitals were even in this game after two periods.

He showed great movement and his ability to pick up the puck through screens, or whatever else the B's tried to throw at him, was truly exceptional.

This was especially true during a forgettable second period for the Caps, when they were out-shot 17 to 2 and were thoroughly dominated by the Bruins. Holtby stonewalled the Bruins at every turn, showing skill and poise we normally do not see from a rookie goalie in his first playoff game—against the defending champions no less.

What you have to also admire about Holtby is his toughness. That was never more evident than in that terrible second period where Chris Kelly wandered into the crease—and was planted on his backside by Holtby.

Against a physically intimidating team like the Bruins, Holtby sent an equally important message right back: "Stay out of my crease!"

And, sure, Holtby drew a roughing penalty for the move, but it didn't matter. What did matter was how Holtby clearly notified the Bruins that he would not be intimidated.

In the end, Holtby made one mistake as he might have been a bit too aggressive against Kelly, took a bit of a bad angle, and could not stop Kelly's long slap-shot that proved to be the overtime winner. It's a shot I suspect Holtby would like to have back—but it should not have come down to that.

Holtby's performance last night did not go unnoticed by his opponent in net, Tim Thomas.

"I thought he played very well," Thomas said. "I didn't see a lot of holes. He worked very hard. I hope he expended a lot of energy and wore himself out a little bit because I hope he doesn't play that good every game. I thought he did a very good job."

Coming from Tim Thomas, that is high praise indeed.

Holtby did what he had to do. He shut out the Boston Bruins for 60 minutes. That should have been good enough for a Game 1 win. Unfortunately, the Caps seemed more intent on playing the Bruins type of game, and trying to match them physically, then they were trying to play the Capitals brand of hockey.

"The next game will be different," Ovechkin said. "We know we can play against them. Holtby played a hell of a game. He was nervous but once he made the first save he calmed down."

How different Game 2 will be remains to be seen. But, if Holtby was nervous, it sure didn't show at any time.

Whether the Caps find their groove and win this series, or whether they find themselves on the losing end of it, they seem to have found something more important for their long-term future: A top flight goalie.

With Thomas Vokoun dealing with injuries, and Michael Neuvirth dealing with inconsistency, Braden Holtby's performance last night showed that the Cap's goalie of the future might be their goalie of the present.

He has all the skills necessary. He has the mental toughness required to succeed in the NHL. He does not get rattled and can rise to the occasion when called upon. He tenaciously protects his crease, regardless of the opponent.

Perhaps, most importantly, he gives his team a chance to win. And, in the end, isn't that what a goalie should do?

If Braden Holtby can repeat his Game 1 performance for the rest of this series, the Bruins will find themselves in for a much tougher fight than they might have anticipated.

And, the Capitals will have found their goalie of the future.