Thread by @JohnnyGoalie12

1- Opinion-

For those concerned...
Braden Holtby is an excellent, top/tiered NHL starting goalie! One thing I’ve been saying for some time now is that in today’s game, with the incredible speed, pace and chaos, starting goalies get more fatigued than ever before.

2- The constant pressure of having to be fully prepared night-in and night-out, has a wearing effect on ones body and mind.

Since 2013/14 Braden has started 298 games (approx. 17,800 minutes.) That’s a hell of a lot of time! I don’t care who you are.

3- What I’m saying is that there are boundaries for what a persons body and mind can endure. Note: it’s also more noticeable when a goalie is off his game in comparison to a forward or defenseman.

4- Mid-season fatigue happens to goalies all around the league, not just here in DC. A goalie will rarely tell a reporter that they are exhausted or express this sentiment w/ the coach when asked. They will just keep strumming along, because that is what they are expected to do.

5- Some starting goalies get away with playing sub-par games down the stretch because their respective teams get the job done in front of them. Therefore the from the outside, the goalie keeps winning and the people in power keep them playing and playing...

6- Getting back to Braden, who in the past few years has changed his game (for the better, might I add) from that of a radical game, to a more efficient and detailed game. But in the past month or so, I have seen him make mistakes that I haven’t seen him make all season...

7- His puck handling and depth thru traffic (or lack there-of) have not been as sharp as they were in December. Which leads me to believe that he may very well be low on petrol. Also, this can put stress on his confidence and self reliance.

8- If what I’ve read is correct and coach Trotz is looking to go with (the very capable) Grubauer a little more down the stretch, it is all positive. It’s positive for Holtby, for Grubauer and for the Caps heading into the playoff race.

9- There are reports out that Andrei Vasilevskiy (55 starts and counting) is tired and I’m not surprised. Many former cohorts of mine have expressed to me the feeling of being totally drained numerous times throughout my career. Sometimes looking totally defeated doing so.

10- Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that it’s easy to be a forward or d-man, cause I’m not. It’s just a totally different mentality. A goalie has to be locked in for 60+ minutes, following the puck every square inch on the ice surface.

11- Note: a goalie, especially during the peak of his career, doesn’t just forget how to stop a puck. The body is just reacting in unusual ways because the mind is weary. Coaches around the league should take notice when they start to see a pattern of uneven play.

12- If the coaching staff can afford to manage their tenders (especially if you have two capable G’s, & most do!) throughout the season, their squad will be better for it in the long run. The season is a marathon, not a sprint. You don’t win anything in December or January.

13- In closing, it does take an army to win in this great game of ours. But for the Capitals, a healthy and rested Braden Holtby can only help them in their playoff bid.