In the midst of a beatdown last Saturday, the Washington Capitals pulled Braden Holtby mid-game in favor of rookie Ilya Samsonov. Two days later, Samsonov made a previously-scheduled start — and for the first time in his career, it was his turn to be yanked early and replaced by Holtby.
The Capitals‘ recent defensive woes cannot be chalked up to one goaltender or the other. The team all around has a lot of poor defense to answer for after Monday’s 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders.
For the second straight game, a Metropolitan Division opponent embarrassed Washington at home with an outpouring of goals.