Flyers, Caps riding same goalies

Decision to stick with Elliott pays off

By sticking with Philipp Grubauer in net for Game 2, the Washington Capitals are taking a page from the Philadelphia Flyers’ most recent goaltending decision.

Of course, it was an entirely different book after the Pittsburgh Penguins chased Brian Elliott in a 7-0 drubbing in the first game of their series. Grubauer was hardly to blame for allowing four goals on 27 shots in an undisciplined Game 1 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

But after Elliott rebounded to validate coach Dave Hakstol’s decision to go back to him, and Philadelphia tied the Battle of Pennsylvania at a game apiece, Washington’s Barry Trotz didn’t hesitate in going back to Grubauer in a crucial spot (7:30 p.m. EDT, NBCSN) instead of switching to Braden Holtby.

“There was nothing in that game that you’d say, why you would make a change?” Trotz said. “Philipp’s been really good. ... So, we’ll go back with Grubi; I’ve got a lot of confidence in him, and we’ll be ready.”

Goaltending could make all the difference for the Flyers against the Penguins and the Capitals against the Blue Jackets. But the two teams going into Sunday down 2-0 in their series are getting incredible play at the position and are still in trouble. In the Western Conference, Minnesota’s Devan Dubnyk almost stole Game 1 for the overmatched Wild against the powerhouse Winnipeg Jets, and Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick has stopped 81 of 84 shots and lost twice to the Vegas Golden Knights.

No one would confuse Elliott with Quick based on his history of playoff struggles and his hookworth performance when he gave up five goals on 19 shots in the series opener. But he stopped 34

GENE J. PUSKAR — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott blocks a shot during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL first-round hockey playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Friday.