Caps' coach Reirden names his starter for the playoffs

We've known for a while now that NHL newcomer Ilya Samsonov is being groomed to take over the starting position with the Washington Capitals. Fellow goaltender and Stanley Cup champion Braden Holtby is on the final year of a five-year contract and it's doubtful the team will be able to re-sign him given their current cap situation. However, coach Todd Reirden isn't quite ready to pass over the reigns to Samsonov just yet.

While speaking with the media Monday, Reirden was asked who would be between the pipes when the season resumes with the 24-team Return to Play format. He told reporters the starting position is Holtby's to lose.

Holtby did play the majority of games for the Capitals this season, getting 48 starts and posting a 25-14-6 record. However, Samsonov had the better numbers, albeit with the smaller sample size. Samsonov started in 26 games, going 16-6-2 with a 2.55 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. Holtby managed a 3.11 GAA and a .897 save percentage.

That said, it looks like Reirden is prepared to stick with experience for now. At 30 years of age, Holtby has 468 career games in the NHL, as well as 89 career playoff games. The 26 games Samsonov played this season are his only 26 on hockey's biggest stage. We'll have to wait and see whether Holtby can hang on to that number one position as the playoffs progress. Washington will not participate in a play-in rounds, instead playing other top teams in the Eastern Conference for seeding.

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