Injuries force Washington Capitals to start playoffs with Braden Holtby in front of net-NHL News
The Washington Capitals do not have a choice other than placing their third-choice player, Braden Holtby, in front of the net to begin their postseason run of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) season.
In spite of hoping for a better start to their playoff campaign, Capitals are hit with respective injuries and ousting of their two leading goaltenders, Michal Neuvirth and Tomas Vokoun, and there is very little hope of their return in the initial phase
of the second round.
This has left the management with the choice of bringing in Braden Holtby and he is most likely to mark the beginning of the playoffs.
As of the latest, Neuvirth skated on his own before the team’s last training session on Tuesday, April 10, 2012.
He could not stay on the ice much longer, which further fed the doubts around the meagre hopes of his return before the first playoff game against Boston Bruins.
When asked how he views his chances, Neuvirth said:
"I don't have the answer."
There is no comment from the management if the player will be able to rejoin the squad in near future and all the talk around his health and fitness remains in the air.
Other netminder, Tomas Vokoun, is even more disappointed about his comeback chances. He too skated before the team’s practice on Tuesday, but admittedly his injury – the groin problem – has pushed his return chances further back.
Vokoun said:
"I'm disappointed as anyone that it turned out this way, but I try and I just can't do it. It's a groin, and for a goalie that's essential."
So, it is certain that Capitals are heading into the second round without their main goaltenders, whose absence is expected to be felt in each and every game unless Braden performs miraculously.
The managers are said to be aware of the competitive nature of the postseason phase, but apparently have no answer to the lack of alternative options. They are hoping that Braden clicks to his best form and performance.
Capitals are starting their second round campaign with the game on Thursday, April 12, 2012. It is going to be the debut game for Holtby.
It will be a real test of the player’s ability and has a good opportunity to prove himself to be worthy of the professional hockey league.
According to some commentators, the young netminder has presented himself with a good opportunity to prove his worth in front of the net and he should focus on capitalising on it.
If Holtby is able to perform in the best interests of Capitals, he is likely to win a long-term opportunity from the side.
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