Braden Holtby ties Martin Brodeur Single Season Wins as Alex Ovechkin Nets 50

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby tied former New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur’s single season win record on Saturday evening at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Brodeur, as Assistant General Manager of the Blues, happened to be in attendance to watch Holtby tie his record of 48 victories on Saturday night. The same way Philadelphia Flyers netminder, Bernie Parent was in the building when Brodeur broke his during the 2006-2007 season. 

Holtby turned away 19 shots in capturing his 48^th victory for a 48-9-7 record in 66 games. In 2006-2007, Brodeur posted a 48-23-7 record in 78 games. Holtby said, “It is not an individual thing, when you come back for alumni things years in the future, you can share it with the same guys that have been a part of it, look back on it together. It will be pretty neat.”   

While Brodeur and Holtby had overtime, and even shootouts, to get their 48 victories, Parent’s 47 wins is still the record for most in regulation. Parent did not have the benefit of tie games going to the extra period to decide a victor. 

Holtby tying Brodeur’s single season win record was not the only milestone achieved by a Capital on Saturday night. Alex Ovechkin became the first player to have three straight 50 goal seasons twice. He also accomplished the feat from 2007-2010. 

Ovechkin also became the third player in National Hockey League history with seven 50 goal seasons. The other two players include Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy, who each did it nine times.

Capitals coach Barry Trotz said, “We had some personal achievements, Ovechkin and Holtby tying Marty, pretty special with Marty here, speaks well of the kind of year Holtby has had and the team has had.”  

 Trotz added, “We knew the Blues were playing for something tonight. They have had a lot of injuries and we understand all of those things, but we came out with a good effort tonight. It was important for us. We clinched so early. We have not had a really meaningful game. We have played some great teams, but we needed a win to get some confidence.”

 

Ovechkin’s 50^th of the season, gave him his 15^th career hat trick, tying him with Jaromir Jagr for most among active players in the NHL. Ovechkin said, “The guys tried to find me out there, I just have to put the puck in. It is harder and harder to score goals in this league, so I am excited.”

 

Ovechkin’s 50^th came on a one-timer of a backhanded pass from Nicklas Backstrom, as he beat Anders Nilsson at the 10:35 mark of the final frame. He was more excited, that he was able to help Holtby, get the chance to tie Brodeur’s record. Ovechkin said, “We tried to play for him. Happy for him, he deserves it.”

Vladimir Tarasenko opened the scoring for the Blues just over a minute into the game, but Ovechkin picked up his 48^th and 49^th within a span of 2:45 of the opening period. Tarasenko became the first Blues player with 40 goals, since Brad Boyes scored 43 in 2007-2008.  

The Capitals will wrap up the regular season at the Verizon Center on Sunday when they host the Anaheim Ducks. Prior to the weekend, it was expected that backup goalie Philipp Grubauer would play one of the final two games.

Trotz said, “It has not even crossed my mind. We will see, there are reasons. To me the most important thing is not putting Holtby at risk and be ready for the playoffs.”  Holtby added that if it is his call, he is playing. He said, “I would love to play every game, but I do not make those decisions.”