Joseph or Holtby: Which save was better?
By Jason Gregor
5 years agoBraden Holtby made the best save I’ve seen since Edmonton Oilers goalie Curtis Joseph robbed Joe Nieuwendyk in game seven in their 1997 series.
The Capitals slayed their nemesis, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in round two. They came back from a 3-2 series deficit to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning and now Holtby’s save in game two has helped even the series in Vegas.
Vegas is the most unexpected story in NHL history, but the Capitals might just be the team destined to win.
Holtby’s stop was unreal.
He made this save with two minutes remaining in the third period, with the Capitals leading 3-2.
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Incredible. I love Ovechkin’s reaction on the bench. The raw emotion of the Stanley Cup playoffs is outstanding.
Then there was Joseph’s save in OT versus future Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk.
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Nieuwendyk, like Alex Tuch, got a lot on the shot, but Joseph made a stellar diving stop.
The reaction from Dallas GM, Bob Gainey, near the end of the clip, tells a great story. The difference between utter jubilation and gut wrenching agony is monumental.
I still remember Oilers head coach Ron Low coming off the bench after Todd Marchant scored a few moments later to win game seven. He carefully ran out to greet Joseph and you can read his lips. “Nice effing save!” he said before smiling and hugging his goalie.
Ovechkin’s reaction is just as great.
The first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals have been really entertaining. Lots of goals, big hits, some great saves and a lot of animosity.
I’m looking forward to game three.
Do you have a favourite save by a goalie in the NHL playoffs?
ULTIMATE SPORTS FAN
My eighth annual Ultimate Sports Fan package in support of charity is here again. On June 9th and 10th, I am riding in the 190km MS Bike Tour, and I’ve come up with a pretty good package for the diehard sports fan.
Here’s how it works: You make a $125 donation and you get one entry. If you make a $250 donation you get two entries, and so on.
We only take 100 entries and we will raise $12,500 for MS. The draw will be the week of June 5th.
This year’s winner will win the following prizes and more.: The final package is valued at over $6,000.00
- The “Oilers experience” at the Oilers home opener in October, which includes tickets, parking, dinner and a behind the scenes tour.
- A pair of Edmonton Eskimos season tickets in the lower bowl.
- A game used Ryan Nugent-Hopkins stick.
- A signed Mike Reilly Eskimos jersey (you pick the size) courtesy of The Sports Closet.
- Twenty tickets, and a hot dog and beverage (non-alcoholic), to an Oil Kings home game. Also, you will get an Oil King player of your choice to come to your backyard rink or minor hockey practice for an hour. (Between November 1st and December 15th.)
- Ten tickets to the Rugby match Canada v. Scotland on Saturday, June 9th at Commonwealth presented by MB Events.
- A signed Matt Barzal jersey
- $500 GC at Match Eatery and Public House (either location).
We only have 16 spots left, so if you want a chance to win and help end MS get in the draw today.
You can make your donation here. (click Donate Now to the right of my picture).
Thank you and good luck.
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