Grubauer allowed four goals on 34 shots in Colorado’s loss in Columbus on October 9th. With Semyon Varlamov playing great, Grubauer has been limited to one start in the first two and a half weeks of the season. Tonight he takes on a Devils team that has started the season 4-0-0 while averaging the third most goals per game (4.25) in the NHL.
Schwartz missed the Blues last two games with a lower-body injury, but was back on the ice for Tuesday’s practice. Schwartz skated in his regular spot on the Blues’ second line and power-play, suggesting that he will play on Wednesday. Schwartz has registered two assists and seven shots on goal in three games this season.
There’s no word what kind of lower-body injury Schwartz is dealing with, but he did take a Vladimir Tarasenko shot off of the foot on Thursday. With Schwartz likely out, Samuel Blais skated on the second line during Friday’s practice.
Murray has been ruled out for tonight’s game against Vegas, but the fact that he is already on the ice is good news. It is hard to pinpoint a timeline when dealing with a concussion, but it doesn’t look like Murray will be out long-term.
Dunn has been featured on the Blues top power-play to start the season, but is expected to sit tomorrow with Joel Edmundson set to make his season debut. With Dunn out, Alex Pietrangelo will take his spot on the top power-play unit.
The Penguins do not play until Thursday, but it seems unlikely that Murray will be available after being diagnosed with a concussion. The Penguins are expected to provide an update on their goalie’s status following Tuesday’s practice session.
Over the last three seasons with the Capitals, Grubauer had a 2.25 GAA and .923 SV% in 63 starts and 18 relief appearances as Braden Holtby’s backup. This summer he was dealt to the Avalanche, where he’s expected to split time with Semyon Varlamov. The Avalanche have won their first two games of the season, but have not been the same team on the road.
Murray allowed six goals on 36 shots, but still walked away with a win vs. the Capitals on Thursday. It wasn’t a great start to the season for the young netminder, but there should be better days ahead. He is a must-start tonight vs. a Montreal team that is expected to finish in the bottom-third of the league this season.
Murray had a tough time with injuries last season. He was started under 50 games for the last two seasons and is tied for 19th in SV% (.915) and 23rd in GAA (2.66) over that stretch. Tonight he faces the Capitals, who smashed the Bruins 7-0 last night. Murray was 2-2-0 with a 3.01 GAA and .899 SV% against Washington last year.
Grubauer was acquired from the Capitals on Friday and signs with the Avalanche, where he figures to start the season as Semyon Varlamov’s backup. Grubauer has played in more than 20 games in each of the last three seasons and ranks tied for first in GAA (2.25) and tied for third in SV% (.923) among goalies with at least 60 games played over that span.
Grubauer is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st and is expected to be Semyon Varlamov’s backup in 2019. Grubauer was 15-10-3 with a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV% and three shutouts in 35 games with the Capitals last season. Grubauer even started the first two games of the playoffs before Braden Holtby took his job back in Game 3 vs. the Blue Jackets.
