WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Alex Tuch joins the Washington Capitals having already been part of a big moment in their history.
It was Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2018. Tuch, then a member of the Vegas Golden Knights, swept the puck toward an open net 鈥� only for Capitals goalie Braden Holtby to make with a desperate reach of his stick and blocker. Washington held on to win 3-2, knotting the series on the way to a five-game triumph.
鈥淚 talked to Holtby in the line afterward and he said it was the luckiest save of his life,鈥� Tuch said Friday. 鈥淪o that made me feel a little bit better 鈥� but not really at the same time, because he was shaking my hand after winning the Cup.鈥�
Tuch was in his first full season that year. Now he’s a three-time 30-goal scorer the Capitals acquired in with Buffalo. He spent four seasons with Vegas and then five with the Sabres.
His arrival in Washington brings plenty of hope for Capitals fans, plus some great memories that aren’t quite as fond to Tuch. When asked about Holtby’s save, he responded by thanking the questioner 鈥渇or asking the question I’ve been trying to avoid for a long time.鈥�
鈥淭hat was an incredible save, but at the same time it was an incredible experience for me,鈥� Tuch said. 鈥淚 hated that I came up short. It bothers me to this day that we didn’t win that Stanley Cup, but I was just so grateful. I was grateful that entire year to just be in the NHL.鈥�
Tuch won鈥檛 be playing with many of the guys who beat him in 2018, but Tom Wilson is still with the Capitals. Alex Ovechkin鈥檚 status remains unclear for next season.
鈥淚f you can鈥檛 beat 鈥檈m, join 鈥檈m I guess,鈥� Tuch said.
___
AP NHL:
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
