SEE IT: Braden Holtby stars in Canucks return to ice

Capitals

SEE IT: Braden Holtby stars in Canucks return to ice

The Vancouver Canucks took the ice for a game on Sunday for the first time since March 24 due to an extensive COVID-19 pause, but former Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby showed no signs of rust.

Holtby recorded a season-high 37 saves to help keep Vancouver in a game that it would eventually rally and win 3-2 in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

One of those saves was a spectacular stop that kept Wayne Simmonds from extending the Maple Leafs lead in the third period and was a display of vintage Holtby in net.

Vancouver played its first game in nearly a month on Sunday after the team was forced to take an extended break due to a coronavirus outbreak within the organization. 

A COVID-19 variant from Brazil that has become prevalent in Canada spread throughout the Canucks roster, leading to the postponement of all games for more than a month as many dealt with serious symptoms from the virus. In total, 22 players and four members of the staff enter COVID-19 protocols. That included Holtby.

The former Washington goalie signed a two-year deal with Vancouver in the offseason after spending 10 seasons with the Capitals. In that time, Holtby became one of the most important figures in the franchise, providing a stable force in the net.

Holtby took home the Vezina Trophy during the 2015-16 season and the William M. Jennings Trophy for the 2016-17 season.

Of course, he was also a major part of the 2018 Stanley Cup run in Washington.