Capitals' Holtby makes 1st start since taking stick to eye

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby returned to the crease Friday against the New York Islanders.

The 29-year-old said earlier in the day that he was feeling 100 percent and would make his first start since exiting the Jan. 12 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after taking a stick to the eye, according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post.

Holtby was forced from the contest at the midway mark and has missed the club's last two games - both losses to the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators. The Capitals have been shaky as of late, winning just four of their past 10 while slipping out of top spot in the Metropolitan Division.

Holtby, meanwhile, has gone 17-10-2 with a .912 save percentage and a 2.85 goals-against average in 31 games this season.