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Holtby gets start versus Bruins, with Halak lurking

Washington Capitals v Florida Panthers

SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Goaltender Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capital has a drink during a break in action against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on February 27, 2014 in Sunrise, Florida. The Capitals defeated the Panthers 5-4. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Braden Holtby

Joel Auerbach

The day after getting pulled halfway through a 6-4 loss to Philadelphia, Braden Holtby will get another start in goal for the Capitals, this one tonight in Boston against the Bruins.

It’s a decision by coach Adam Oates that took some by surprise, especially given Washington’s acquisition of Jaroslav Halak yesterday. The Caps are in a desperate fight to make the playoffs, and currently they’re on the outside looking in.

“Hopefully we play better in front of Braden,” Oates said, per the Washington Post. “He had a good game [in Boston] a few days ago. The team played pretty solid that game as well. Hopefully we can draw on that and the second half of last night and have a good game.”

The Holtby-or-Halak storyline should be an interesting one to follow down the stretch. The fact the Caps haven’t missed the playoffs since 2007 will only add to the drama.

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