Red-Hot Philipp Grubauer Will Start Over Brenton Holtby in Game 1 vs. Columbus

For the first time since 2011, there will be someone not named Brenton Holtby in goal to start a Washington Capitals’ playoff series. Instead, the Caps will send Philipp Grubauer between the pipes in Game 1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Grubauer has been standing on his head lately, leading folks in D.C. wondering if he would get the first playoff start. On Tuesday, the decision was made, with head coach Barry Trotz telling the media that Grubauer “deserves the opportunity”.

Per the Associated Press, the 26-year-old back-up has posted an NHL-best 2.06 GAA and .933 save percentage since October 27th. In his last nine starts, he’s gone 7-2. Grubauer served as Brenton Holtby’s primary back-up since 2014-15 and also saw time in goal during the Capitals’ 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.

The whole experience has been a strange twist of fate for Grubauer. All throughout last season, people around the D.C. area expected him to be gone as part of the NHL Expansion Draft. Instead, the Vegas Golden Knights took Nate Schmidt from Washington which in turn, opened the door for the current situation.

Holtby has a 34-16-4 record this year with a 90.7 save percentage and 2.99 GAA.

The Capitals won the Metropolitan Division with 105 points while the Blue Jackets secured the first Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. Game 1 will take place in Washington, D.C. on Thursday evening at 7:30 P.M ET.

USA will broadcast the game nationally.