Holtby returns to crease after 4-game 'reset'

Braden Holtby's break is over.

The Washington Capitals goaltender started Friday's game against the New York Islanders after sitting out for four contests, stopping 22 of 25 shots in a 6-3 win.

Capitals head coach Barry Trotz implied he was giving Holtby "a little reset" last week.

The 2016 Vezina Trophy winner had a save percentage of .854 and only one win in eight games before taking the hiatus.

Washington went 3-1-0 in his absence, including a 7-3 victory over the Islanders on Thursday night.

"It was obviously good to clear (my) mind and step back, and it makes it a lot better that we had success while (I was sitting out)," Holtby told reporters before Friday's game. "(The break) is something I haven't had in quite a few years, so there's a positive in it for sure, mentally and physically, to just regroup a bit."

Philipp Grubauer posted a .940 save percentage in the four games Holtby sat out, and the backup netminder has been solid all season long, holding a .925 save percentage in 29 appearances.