Grubauer stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Capitals win in Carolina on December 21st. With Braden Holtby being virtually unbeatable, Grubauer has not seen a lot of action this season, but he has been solid when called upon (2.30 GAA / .914 SV%). He will get another crack at the Hurricanes tonight, making him a strong option.
Murray stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Penguins win in Minnesota on Saturday. Jeff Zatkoff started and lost on Sunday, so they will go back to Murray tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. Murray has gone 2-1-0 with a 1.68 GAA and .934 SV% in three starts since being recalled. He draws a strong matchup against a Maple Leafs team that was blown out last night.
Grubauer was rewarded with the win after coming in and stopping all seven shots in Thursday’s victory over the Lightning. Grubauer has gone 3-2-1 with a 2.53 GAA and .901 SV% this season, but could make for a strong start behind the powerful Capitals offence. The Hurricanes come in having won three of five.
Murray stopped 24 of 26 shots in the Penguins 2-1 loss to the Hurricanes in his NHL debut on Saturday. Murray fell behind 2-0 just 15 minutes into the game, but was able to close the door for the remaining 45 minutes, but it still wasn’t enough. He draws a solid matchup tonight vs. a Blue Jackets team that has won two in a row, but have lost five of their last seven.
Murray, 21, was a third round pick (83rd overall) in 2012 and has been excellent in the AHL this season. He has gone 12-4-0 with a 1.84 GAA and .938 SV% with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). Tonight he will make his NHL debut against a Hurricanes team that ranks 24th in the NHL in scoring (2.41 goals per game).
Grubauer allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Capitals loss to the Stars back on November 19th. Braden Holtby started the last eight games, but Grubauer will start tonight in Florida. It will be the battle of the backups with Al Montoya going for the Panthers. Grubauer has won both of his road starts this season while allowing five goals on 50 shots (.900 SV%).
Schultz has been out since October 27th and instead of bringing him back for back-to-back games, Schultz will sit out on Friday in Detroit but will return Saturday vs. the Penguins.
Grubauer allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Capitals loss to the Flames last Friday. It was his first loss of the season and he now sits 2-1-0 with a 2.59 GAA and .899 SV% in three games. Grubauer is a solid-spot start option with the right matchup, but that is not what he has tonight with the Stars in town.
Schultz is two and a half weeks into a 2-4 week timetable. He was in practice on Monday and rotated into his regular spot during line rushes which indicates he is nearing a return to the lineup. Monitor Schultz’s status as the week progresses.
Grubauer allowed one goal on 27 shots in the Capitals win in Florida on October 31st. Grubauer has won each of his two starts, while stopping 45 of 50 shots (.900 SV%) this season. With Braden Holtby starting last night, the Capitals will turn to Grubauer tonight vs. the Flames. Calgary has gone 3-3-0 while averaging 3.17 goals per game over that span.
Stephenson has been a healthy scratch in three of the last four games and has been reassigned after failing to record a point in nine games with the Capitals this season.
Eberle who has been practicing, is expected to get in two more practices before he makes his season debut on Friday vs. the Penguins. This is the best timing possible with the Oilers losing Connor McDavid for a couple of months. Eberle had 24 goals and 39 assists (63 points) in 81 games las season.
Grubauer allowed four goals on 23 shots in the Capitals win in Edmonton last Friday. It wasn’t a pretty performance, but the offence was able to do enough to earn him his first ‘W’of the season. On Saturday he takes on a solid Panthers team, but they will be without two of their top guns (Barkov & Jagr).
Schultz will miss at least two weeks which could be six or seven games and could miss up to one month with a back injury. With Schultz out, Darnell Nurse will continue to play a big role on the Oilers’ blueline.
