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2016 NHL Award Predictions

By Jeff Henning

Jan 6, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72) with the puck during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72) with the puck during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Braden Holtby

Jan 5, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) gets a drink of water during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. The Washington Capitals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) gets a drink of water during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. The Washington Capitals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

If the season ended today, the Washington Capitals would be the best team in hockey, record wise. Even if you throw out records, I still believe that the Capitals are the best team in the NHL.

Yes, they have the great Alex Ovechkin and solid defensive core with depth to spare, however, those are not the reasons that I consider the Capitals to be the NHL’s best —  it’s the guy between the pipes.

Braden Holtby has been, in one word, dominant this season.

Counting goaltenders who’ve played at least 20 games, Holtby leads the entire league in GAA with a stingy 1.93 average. His .932 SV% is also tops in the league, as are his 27 wins.

While Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Nicklas Backstrom may get the spotlight on this team, make no mistake, Holtby has been the best player on this team since the puck first dropped in back in October.

Contenders: Jonathan Quick, Roberto Luongo

Next: Calder Trophy

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