Capitals to start Grubauer in goal against Columbus
Philipp Grubauer will start Washington’s playoff opener against Columbus, the first Capitals goaltender not named Braden Holtby to start a postseason series since 2011.
The 26-year-old German started 10 of the final 16 games of the regular season, going 7-3-0 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. Grubauer’s 2.06 GAA and .933 save percentage are the best among NHL goalies with 15 or more starts since Oct. 27. “I just think that Grubi deserves the opportunity,” coach Barry Trotz said Tuesday, a day after telling Grubauer of his decision. “It sort of evolved all year. There wasn’t a date or anything like that. It just evolved and Grubi got more games and a bigger body of work.” Grubauer called it a privilege to start after spending the past three full seasons as the backup to Holtby, who won the 2016 Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goaltender. It could be a short-lived privilege if he struggles because Trotz said his decision is only for Game 1 on Thursday night and the Capitals are going “game by game.” The opener will be Grubauer’s second career start in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“It doesn’t change how we go about our business,” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. “We’re just concerned about our game.” Grubauer led Windsor to the Ontario Hockey League title and won the Memorial Cup in 2010.
“It helps playing more and more,” Grubauer said. “The more you get on the ice, the more experience you get. You see different situations and different teams. If you sit on the bench, you can get good from watching, but you’ve got to get the experience.”
He will likely see a lot of Columbus captain Nick Foligno, who is back after missing the final six games of the regular season with a lower-body injury. Foligno gives the Blue Jackets some net-crashing presence and will be in and around the crease often. “I honestly feel great,” Foligno said.
Holtby, 28, started 59 of the past 60 Capitals playoff games. “My job is just to focus on my game, getting it the best it can get to,” said Holtby, who closed the season on a 5-1-0 run with a 2.67 GAA and .911 save percentage in those games. “Coach’s decision who plays or not doesn’t have anything to do with me. I’ll just focus one practice at a time, trying to be a positive influence around the team and go from there.”