With Nicklas Backstrom re-signed and back in the fold for the next five years the Washington Capitals answered one lingering offseason question. Now, just one remains regarding the team’s core: what to do about Braden Holtby?



If Alex Ovechkin is the heart of the team and Backstrom the brain, then Holtby has been the backbone of an elite Capitals team for the last several seasons, entrenching himself as a top tier starter for the majority of the decade, as well as one of the league’s pre-eminent playoff goalies. From 2012 onward, when Holtby made his first playoff start, only two others – Henrik Lundqvist and Jonathan Quick – have saved more goals above expected (35) in the postseason than Holtby.



Holtby’s reputation is very strong, but it’s not as rock-solid as it used to be, not after a few up and down seasons. From 2014 to 2016 when Holtby was at his peak, he saved 56 goals above expected, second to only Carey Price on the back of...