The Washington Capitals are going with the hot hand at goalie. Head coach Barry Trotz announced Philipp Grubauer will start Game 1 of their best-of-seven series against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
“I think that Grubi deserves the opportunity,” Trotz told reporters, according to NHL.com’s Brian McNally.
Grubauer has had the better numbers in 2017-18 over Holtby, posting a 2.35 goals-against average with a .923 save percentage in 35 games. Meanwhile, Holtby has taken a step back in his production, allowing a 2.99 GAA with .907 save percentage.
Going with Grubauer was a tough call for Trotz, as he has been the hot hand, Holtby has been one of the more consistent goalies in the NHL the previous two seasons. Holtby is a two-time All-Star, was named to the NHL’s First-All-Star Team in 2016 and Second-All-Star Team in 2017. He took home the Vezina Trophy in 2016 and followed that up with the William M. Jennings Trophy in 2017.
Grubauer has been on fire in the net posting a 15-10-3 record in his 28 starts. He had a .679 quality start percentage compared to Holtby’s .556. Still, Trotz stressed the decision to who is in net is going to be a “game-by-game” situation, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.
Holtby accepted the demotion in class. Trotz called Holtby’s reaction to the news “fantastic” going as far to call him an “absolute pro,” per McNally.
“My job is just to focus on my game and getting it to the best I can get it to,” Holtby said per Tarik El-Bashir of NBC Sports Washington.
Washington will look to erase the demons of postseasons past. The Capitals have not advanced past the second round of the NHL Playoffs since 1998.
