TORONTO — When Capitals Coach Barry Trotz talked to his goaltender earlier in the week, Braden Holtby expressed his desire to play all week if the team had a successful week. Four straight wins later, Holtby gets his wish, tabbed to play his second straight night.
It will be the first time this season that Holtby has played both games of a back-to-back, as backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer had been getting the second game of those situations. But with a four-day break before Washington plays its next game, at Montreal, and Holtby’s numbers being significantly better on shorter rest, Trotz opted to ride the hot hand.