Braden Holtby will not play for the Washington Capitals on Friday in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders because of an illness and will instead be replaced by Phillip Grubauer.
Holtby, who started 25 consecutive games to finish the regular season — a team record — did not participate in the optional skate on Thursday, either. Trotz did not share what was afflicting Holtby, but said two hours before the game was scheduled to begin that he was still expecting the goaltender to be in net.
“When you’re not feeling well, you know, [there’s no] sense in draining yourself even more,” Trotz said Friday morning, explaining Holtby’s absence.
The Capitals, who lost, 4-1, to the Islanders in Game 1 on Wednesday, recalled Grubauer from Hershey as a contingency plan on Friday morning, plucking him from the midst of a crucial divisional playoff race in the final weekend of the AHL regular season.
Grubauer, who has made 20 appearances for Washington over the past three seasons, was the logical choice for the Capitals, who tabbed him to start for Holtby instead of Justin Peters, their backup. Peters hadn’t played for Washington since March 28, when he replaced Holtby against Nashville, and hasn’t started since Feb. 15 at Anaheim.
Grubauer has played in 49 games at Hershey this season, winning 27 of them with a 2.30 goals-against average and .921 save percentage. He played in the Capitals’ game against Anaheim on Feb. 6 and made 23 saves in their 3-2 shootout victory.
A native of Rosenheim, Germany, Grubauer made his NHL debut in 2013, replacing Holtby in the second period of a road game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
In those 20 games, the 23-year-old Grubauer has a 2.44 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage.
“I’ve never been part of this,” Grubauer said Friday morning. “I’ve been a black ace last couple years, but actually practicing with the team once is really nice.”
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.