ESPN.com · Apr 10, 2018
Capitals name Philipp Grubauer as Game 1 playoff starter
ARLINGTON, Va. -- 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 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."