Phillip Grubauer named Washington Capitals game one starter
Today the Washington Capitals have announced that Phillip Grubauer will start game one of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Trotz on choosing Grubauer: “I just think that Grubi deserves the opportunity. I think the body of work, especially this year, presented itself. Trust me, it wasn’t an easy decision. I put a lot of factors in. Braden has been the guy for a long time.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 10, 2018
Phillip Grubauer this season played in 35 games, 28 of which he started. In those 35 games, Phillip went 15-10-3-3 with a 2.35 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. Grubauer also played one of the highest minutes of his NHL career playin in 1,865 minutes.
Philipp Grubauer tells the media he’ll start Game 1 for Washington. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/2khAUUpYAU
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 10, 2018
Grubauer started 10 of the final 16 games of the regular season with Holtby given time off to “reset himself”, going 7-3-0 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .925 save percentage to earn the job. Holtby struggled with a 3.75 GAA and .886 save percentage in his final 17 appearances.
Phillip has faced the Blue Jackets just once this year as he came on in relief of Braden Holtby after giving up 4 goals. Grubauer went 38:52 and saved all 18 shots fired his way. Last season Phillip faced the Blue Jackets one time winning that game just :32 seconds into the overtime period.