CENTENNIAL — It required a bit more than half the season, but Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer finally got his first shutout Thursday night.
After fighting through a lower-body injury on and off during the opening weeks, Grubauer reasserted his position as the team’s option in target with a effort from the Avs’ 4-0 triumph over San Jose. It was only Colorado’s biggest win in its last 15 games, but it turned out to be a promising revealing for Grubauer, who is 13-10-4 with a 2.81 goals-against typical and .911 save percent.
“I look at his own positioning and I want to ensure that they’re fighting if there’s visitors in front of the net,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said after practice Friday. “Staying in good posture, staying strong down low in the scrums gobbling up as many rebounds. When I look at that over the last couple of games I think that he ’s been pretty excellent. ”
Bednar hinted Grubauer could be back in net when the Avs host St. Louis at 1 Saturday.
“Anytime you go through just a bit of a stretch that we’ve moved and filled with these harms, to come out in any sport where we needed to find a win, it’s big for us, it’s big for him,” Bednar stated. “He looked solid, focused and accountable for the entire night..This informs you what he’s capable of. ”
Backup Pavel Francouz has gone through a tough patch of his own allowing 10 goals in his last 3 games with a 0-2-1 record. So Grubauer’s performance.
“We’re fighting two points and we need the points,” Grubauer explained. “It doesn’t assist us if we say we played great but you didn’t win. Yesterday was a good step in the right direction. ”
Related Articles
Avs predominate Sharks, enhance to 1-0-2 from five-game homestand
Avalanche gameday: Philipp Grubauer back in net against Sharks at Pepsi Center
Colorado Avalanche unveils NHL Stadium Series jerseys
Avalanche Insider: What’s happening to Colorado in the next period? Avs can’t shut.
Dallas Stars “cheat” on faceoffs, Avalanche coach says
The Avs have two games left before an 11-day fracture on their current homestand. They’ll embark on a road trip after the All-Star break.
For Grubauer, the important thing is currently staying healthy. That is his first time since baseball that he’s coped with injury difficulties, he said.
“I felt like I was letting the guys down, however it’s not in my hands basically,” Grubauer stated of his time from the lineup. “It turned out a small bit challenging because it was the first time I’t dealt with this, but it’s performed and today it’s learn from it and it’s like it’s ’s in my head. ”
Article Source and Credit feeds.denverpost.com //feeds.denverpost.com/~r/dp-sports/~3/Sy2U7E01-cQ/ Buy Tickets for every event – Sports, Concerts, Festivals and more buytickets.com