Stanley Cup Finals: Who Has the Edge in Net?

It’s finally here hockey fans, the Stanley Cup Final, featuring one of the hottest goalie matchups in recent memory. Who’s got the edge, Braden Holtby or Marc-Andre Fleury?

SEASON SUMMARY: Braden Holtby

The Canadian goalie had his strangest season to date. He played in just 54 games this year, going 34-16-4, but struggled towards the end of the season. Coach Barry Trotz pulled Holtby in favor of Philipp Grubauer, who started the first two games of the playoffs. Holtby’s pedestrian .907 save percentage, ranked him 39th out of the top 50 goalies this season. When he returned with the Capitals team on the verge of going down 2-0, he was unstoppable. He helped the capitals then win 5 straight playoff games and has a 12-6 record these playoffs. His playoff save percentage is an impressive .924 with two shutouts in the playoffs.

Braden Holtby in the Playoffs
				Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal
Season	Age	Tm	Lg	GP	GS	W	L	GA	SA	SV	SV%	GAA	SO
2011-12	22	WSH	NHL	14	14	7	7	30	459	429	.935	1.95	0
2012-13	23	WSH	NHL	7	7	3	4	16	205	189	.922	2.22	1
2014-15	25	WSH	NHL	13	13	6	7	23	412	389	.944	1.71	1
2015-16	26	WSH	NHL	12	12	6	6	21	363	342	.942	1.72	2
2016-17	27	WSH	NHL	13	13	7	6	33	364	331	.909	2.46	0
2017-18	28	WSH	NHL	18	17	12	6	37	484	447	.924	2.04	2
Career			NHL	77	76	41	36	160	2287	2127	.930	2.01	6

Provided by Hockey-Reference.com: View Original Table

SEASON SUMMARY: Marc-Andre Fleury

In his first year back on the starting block, this time for the Vegas Golden Knights, Fleury has been entirely impressive. He played in only 46 games after suffering two concussions. In that time he posted a 29-13-4 record with an outstanding .927 save percentage. Fleury’s hot play has continued in the playoffs. Through three rounds, Fleury has a 12-3 record and a .947 save percentage. Four of those wins were shutouts.

Marc-Andre Fleury in the Playoffs
					Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal	Goal
Season	Age	Tm	Lg		GP	GS	W	L	GA	SA	SV	SV%	GAA	SO
2006-07	22	PIT	NHL		5		1	4	18	150	132	.880	3.77	0
2007-08	23	PIT	NHL		20	20	14	6	41	610	569	.933	1.97	3
2008-09	24	PIT	NHL	SC	24	23	16	8	63	686	623	.908	2.61	0
2009-10	25	PIT	NHL		13	13	7	6	37	339	302	.891	2.78	1
2010-11	26	PIT	NHL		7	7	3	4	17	168	151	.899	2.52	1
2011-12	27	PIT	NHL		6	6	2	4	26	157	131	.834	4.63	0
2012-13	28	PIT	NHL		5	4	2	2	17	145	128	.883	3.51	1
2013-14	29	PIT	NHL		13	13	7	6	32	378	346	.915	2.40	2
2014-15	30	PIT	NHL		5	5	1	4	11	150	139	.927	2.12	0
2015-16	31	PIT	NHL	SC	2	1	0	1	4	32	28	.875	3.03	0
2016-17	32	PIT	NHL	SC	15	15	9	6	37	490	453	.924	2.56	2
2017-18	33	VEG	NHL		15	15	12	3	27	505	478	.947	1.68	4
Career			NHL	3	130	122	74	54	330	3810	3480	.913	2.53	14

Provided by Hockey-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/28/2018.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two all-star goalies have met once before in the playoffs. Fleury had the edge, playing for a powerhouse Penguins squad. Last season, when the Pens beat Holtby and the Caps, Matt Murray was between the pipes for the Penguins. The fair way to view this series is in Fleury’s win last year and comparing regular season match ups this year. Fleury shutout the Capitals 3-0 in the first meeting between these teams. Holtby was credited with the loss. In the second meeting, Fleury and the Golden Knights beat the Capitals by a score of 4-3. However, Grubauer was in net for Washington this time around.

WHO’S GOT THE EDGE? Fleury

There isn’t a whole lot to compare in recent memory, but Fleury has been historically good vs the Capitals, beating them twice in the playoffs. In each of those two seasons, Fleury and the Penguins went on to win the Cup. Holtby hasn’t fared quite as well against Fleury, however, this time around, there is no Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin to contend with as well. However, in his only game against the Golden Knights, Grubauer was on the wrong end of a 3-0 decision. In the end, Fleury gives the Golden Knights a clear edge in the goaltending matchup.

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