Hard Times is better
If Trotz can start Gruby in the playoffs as a pending RFA and Holtby with 2 seasons left on his deal then Reirden can start Sammy with 5 years of control and Holtby a pending UFA.
Grubauer had a lot more experience than Samsanov has now, Holtby was
losing games (not just struggling to stop shots), and the Caps remained vague about who they were starting all the way through to puck drop on Game 1. You publicly say Samsanov is on par with your starting goaltender (or has become your #1) when the guy has had fewer than 15 career NHL starts and you later switch back to Holtby because the rookie is struggling under the weight and you could really sour your relationship with Holts. You do or say anything at this point in the season that suggests you’re through with Holtby, or he’s not your #1, and you risk prematurely shutting the window if it turns out Samsanov’s still a couple of years off being able to handle a starter’s load while playing at this level.