Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Grubauer to face ex-teammates

November 15, 2018, 7:14 PM ET [1 Comments]
Rick Sadowski
Colorado Avalanche Blogger •Avalanche Insider • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Philipp Grubauer will start against his former Washington Capitals teammates on Friday when the Avalanche conclude their two-game homestand.

“Looking down, it’s going to be weird seeing guys on the other end, but once the puck drops it’s all about business,” he said Thursday. “I can’t focus on who’s coming down. You got to stop the puck, you got to focus on the situation, read the game, that’s all.”

Grubauer helped the Caps win their first Stanley Cup last year and was presented with his championship ring before the season.

“It's in a safe,” he said. “Won’t come out.”

“It’s what you work for, it’s what your goal is every year, to achieve that (championship),” Grubauer said. “That group was unbelievable and really special. The presentation was very special and I want to have the same experience here with this team.

“Going all the way last year, looking back, it was unbelievable. D.C. has been home for the past couple years and I played with the guys for so long. What I learned the last couple years in Washington I’m trying to bring here. There was a lot of failure, but you can learn from that.”

Grubauer, who turns 27 later this month, spent six seasons in the Washington organization and posted a 43-31-11 career record with the Capitals, along with a 2.29 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. He went 15-10-3 last season with a 2.35 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. He lost his lone playoff decision.

The Avalanche acquired Grubauer on June 22 with defenseman Brooks Orpik in exchange for a 2018 second-round draft pick. They signed him to three-year, $10 million contract and bought out the final year of Orpik’s deal. Orpik eventually signed a one-year contract with the Caps.

Grubauer hasn’t played since Nov. 2 when he faced 30 shots in a 7-6 overtime loss in Vancouver. He won three consecutive starts before that and has a 3-1-1 record in five games with a 3.55 goals-against average and .893 save percentage.

Semyon Varlamov, who was acquired from Washington in July 2011, started the past four games and has won two in a row. He made 20 saves Wednesday in the Avalanche’s 6-3 win against Boston and is 6-5-2 overall in 13 games with a 2.32 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.

“Excited to see (Grubauer) play against his old team,” coach Jared Bednar said. “It should be an exciting start for him. He’s hungry to get back in the net. He’s been putting in some good work here, especially the last two days of practice gearing up for it.

“Varly’s played a number of games in a row and it’s good for him to get in some practice time, too, and take a little breather. That’s why we have Gruby; he’s been doing a good job in practice and it’s time to get him back in net and give him another crack here.”

Grubauer said practicing against Washington stars like Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie and John Carlson helped his development.

“You got to be with the best and practice with the best and play with the best,” he said. “Now I’m playing against the defending Stanley Cup champs, and I think it’s a great challenge for us.”

Kuznetsov and Oshie sustained head injuries Wednesday against Winnipeg and were being evaluated Thursday.

*****

Forwards Sven Andrighetto (lower body injury) and J.T. Compher (head injury) skated Thursday in an optional session with skills coach Shawn Allard, though Compher did so while wearing a non-contact jersey.

Defense prospect Conor Timmins skated on his own. He hasn’t played since sustaining a concussion in March, but getting on the ice is a good sign.



Join the Discussion: » 1 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Rick Sadowski
» One-year deal for Johansson
» One more postseason disappointment
» Bednar cleared to coach tonight; MacKinnon Hart finalist
» Cale Makar a Norris Trophy finalist
» Jost: Do or die Game 5 tonight; Kadri suspension upheld