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Holtby yanked in Game 2 vs. Penguins

Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports

Braden Holtby took an unexpected seat on the bench Saturday night.

The Washington Capitals' unquestioned starter was replaced by backup Philipp Grubauer to start the third period in Game 2 of the second-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Holtby allowed three goals on 14 shots in his 40 minutes of work. He didn't look like his usually stellar self on Jake Guentzel's marker, which made it 3-1 for the Penguins with less than four minutes left in the second period.

Grubauer didn't fare much better than his netminding teammate, allowing two goals on nine shots as the Capitals lost Game 2 by a 6-2 margin.

Holtby is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy this season, and he won the award - given annually to the NHL's top goaltender - in 2016.

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