The Canuck Way
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Canucks Preview: Final two games against the Winnipeg Jets

By Zaahid Lalani

LAVAL, QC - MARCH 09: Jonah Gadjovich #22 of the Utica Comets skates against the Laval Rocket during the AHL game at Place Bell on March 9, 2019 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Laval Rocket defeated the The Utica Comets 5-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
LAVAL, QC - MARCH 09: Jonah Gadjovich #22 of the Utica Comets skates against the Laval Rocket during the AHL game at Place Bell on March 9, 2019 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Laval Rocket defeated the The Utica Comets 5-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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VANCOUVER, BC – APRIL 18: Goalie Braden Holtby #49 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a save against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 18, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC – APRIL 18: Goalie Braden Holtby #49 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a save against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 18, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

Which version of Braden Holtby could we see?

It’s been a tale of two stories for Braden Holtby during his first year in Vancouver.

The former Washington Capital netminder struggled mightly out of the gate, posting four wins in 12 games played, to go along with a mediocre .894 SV% and 3.57 GAA. The team played with very little confidence when Holtby was in net, ultimately solidifying his 1B position in the team’s goaltending tandem as a result.

Fortunately, he was able to turn his gameplay around.

Since returning from their COVID-19 outbreak, Holtby has been much better between the pipes. During the six games that he has played so far, he holds a 3-3 record, as well as a much-improved .910 SV% and 2.87 GAA. Two of those victories came at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs, his team’s first two contests in just under a month, where he stopped 74 of 79 shots faced, including a save-of-the-year candidate against Wayne Simmonds.

Of course, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Since those two games against the Maple Leafs, Holtby holds a 1-3 record and is currently riding a personal three-game losing streak. His last glimpse of action was on May 3rd against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, where he allowed four goals on 31 shots faced, meaning that he might be a little rusty.

Holtby was also the only goalie fit to play when the team returned to action in mid-April, with other netminder Thatcher Demko still on the league’s COVID-19 protocol list at the time, which is why he got the start.

Had Demko been healthy enough to play, it might’ve been a different story for Holtby. Plus, since then, head coach Travis Green has been quite adamant that the crease will belong to Demko moving forward, and it’s clear that the coaches and management want to continue to groom and develop their 25-year-old netminder of the future much as they can.

Regardless of all of this, the Canucks’ number one priority should be to keep their players as healthy and well-rested as possible for the remaining stretch of the season, meaning that a Holtby appearance should be expected on Tuesday night.

Fans aren’t expecting a win from the former Vezina-winner at this point, especially with how the team in front of him has been playing lately, but hopefully we’ll be treated to a strong performance from Holtby if he does end up as the starter on Tuesday night.

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