For the first time in more than two months, Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby was in the net for a regulation loss.
Prior to Saturday, his last regulation loss was against the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 10. Over that span, he had a record of 20-0-2 and worked his way into contention for the Vezina Trophy.
Against the Buffalo Sabres, however, the Capitals fell behind 4-0 by the end of the second period and Holtby was pulled in the second period after allowing three goals on 16 shots.
The Capitals, the NHL’s top team in the standings, surrendered a 4-1 loss to the Sabres.
“I knew Buffalo would come out with a much better effort,” said Capitals head coach Barry Trotz, as per NHL.com.
“We didn’t invest enough to win a hockey game. I thought we were really easy on them in the first period. No one touched anybody. I was a little disappointed in the investment of our group, the first half of the game for sure.”
Now, it will be interesting to see if Trotz goes back to his No. 1 in Holtby in a back-to-back situation, or if Philipp Grubauer gets that start. The Capitals host the New York Rangers on Sunday.
Trotz said he changed goaltenders as a way to try to change momentum.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 17, 2016
Not surprising, but Grubauer said he feels like he could play tomorrow. Only saw 13 SOG. He doesn't know if he will (but he's on the plane).
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 17, 2016