Unfortunately for the stomachs, hairlines and hearts of Bruins fans, Braden Holtby played like Tim Thomas, too.
Thomas edged Holtby in Thursday's series-opening goalie battle at the TD Garden by the slimmest of margins as Chris Kelly was able to finally sneak something passed Holtby, just a couple minutes into overtime. While Thomas got the win, one may argue that Holtby out-Thomased the Tank.
"Well obviously he's a very capable goalie. He played a good game [Thursday night], and I think that it's one of those things that, it's hockey," said Kelly, the hero of the night. "He's out there doing his job, just like everyone else, and you’ve got to stay focused, and work through those things."
Holtby stopped all 29 shots he faced in regulation, including 17 in the second period. Thomas faced — and stopped — a grand total of 17 shots, including just two in the second. In the third, however, the Caps kicked things up a notch and it was reflected in their shots total — taking nine to Boston's three. Despite the rather slow start by Washington's offense, Thomas was able to stay focused.
"In the third period they started to get more shots which I expected, and obviously feels more normal than getting seven shots in two periods," Holtby said. "But because I got so few shots, I was just trying to stay mentally aware the whole time."
What kept Thomas awake during the long stretches between saves was watching his counterpart stand on his head in the opposing crease.
"I thought he played very well," Thomas said of the Caps' netminder. "I didn't see a lot of holes tonight. He worked very hard. I'm hoping he expended a lot of energy and wore himself out a little bit, because I hope he doesn't play that good every game. I thought he did a very good job."
Just one of those shots Thomas (officially) faced was a near-snipe from Alex Ovechkin, who managed to shake Dennis Seidenberg and Zdeno Chara for a split second. In the opening minutes of the Caps-dominated third frame, Ovechkin got a feed on the left side from the far point and snapped off a shot that Thomas was barely able to get some leather on.
"It was a toe save," Thomas explained. "I know he likes that spot, generally, over there, but he's been changing it up and going to different spots. I didn’t even think about Ovechkin until the pass happened. I was focusing on who made the pass, the left-handed guy who made the pass. I was trying to get to my angle to make sure that he couldn't score. But when I did see the pass released in that direction, I very quickly realized where it was going and who it was going to, so I’d better get over there very fast, and fortunately it hit my toe."
While that save was typical Thomas, the game-winning goal Holtby allowed in was somewhat of a surprise. Not just because it was off of Kelly's slapper on a somewhat tough angle, but because it was nothing in comparison to the shots he was saving all game. The goal has left the young keeper scratching his head.
"I don’t really know what happened on it," he said after the loss. "I kind of lost it a little bit. I really don’t know."
One thing his teammates do know, however, is that he's more than able to fill in for the injured veteran netminders Michal Neuvirth and Tomas Vokoun.
"Yeah, it's obviously a tough loss but Holtby stood on his head and played great, so I mean he has nothing to be ashamed of and its too bad we couldn't get the win for him," Jay Beagle said. "He has to take a lot of good things out of this game. He played great. I've played enough with him to know he's a great goalie and he'll come back Saturday and play even better."
