Holtby likely starter for Caps’ opener, No. 1 gig still open

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby made a name for himself in the 2012 playoffs and his impressive stint with the AHL Hershey Bears during the lockout has done nothing to dampen the enthusiasm surrounding him.

Capitals coach Adam Oates hinted that Holtby’s performance last year has probably earned him the opportunity to start in the Capitals’ season opener. Still, that doesn’t mean he has the number one gig locked up, according to the Washington Post.

Michal Neuvirth is coming off of a rough season, but Oates plans to give him plenty of chances to prove himself. Ultimately, Holtby and Neuvirth might end up splitting the goaltending duties fairly evenly in 2013.

“Forty-eight games, I think both guys are going to play a lot, and I would say when a guy is playing well, he should play,” Oates said.

He thinks some healthy competition between the two young goalies is a “great situation to have, a luxury for a coach.”

Washington will open the shortened season against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.