With Semyon Varlamov signing with the Islanders, Grubauer is left as Colorado’s No.1 netminder to begin 2019-20. It is the first time in his career that Grubauer has been leaned on as a No.1 goalie, which will allow him to blow by his previous career-highs in starts (33) and wins (18). It’s a huge opportunity for the 27-year-old, who was 4-1-0 with a 1.90 GAA and .939 SV% vs. the Flames in the postseason last year.
The movement to LTIR means that Larsson will miss at least 24 days but his timeline should become more clear when the Oilers disclose what his injury is. Larsson took a Quinn Hughes shot off of his foot in Wednesday’s win and it could be related to that. For a corresponding move, the Oilers sent Ethan Bear to Bakersfield (AHL) and recalled Evan Bouchard.
With Semyon Varlamov signing with the Islanders, Grubauer is left as Colorado’s No.1 netminder to begin 2019-20. It is the first time in his career that Grubauer has been leaned on as a No.1 goalie, which will allow him to blow by his previous career-highs in starts (33) and wins (18). It’s a huge opportunity for the 27-year-old, who was 4-1-0 with a 1.90 GAA and .939 SV% vs. the Flames in the postseason last year.
Montour is a few weeks away from any type of contact, which suggests that he won’t be back until late-October. Luckily the Sabres went out and got Colin Miller and Henri Jokiharju this offseason, so their blueline should remain strong in Montour’s absence.
Montour is set to miss the rest of the preseason and could miss some regular-season time with a hand injury. Henri Jokiharju, who was acquired from the Blackhawks this offseason, is the most likely candidate to fill the hole left by Montour’s injury to start the season.
Stephenson had five goals and six assists (11 points) in 64 games with the Capitals a season ago. The 25-year-old has settled into a bottom-6 role with Washington, but will have to battle with offseason additions Garnet Hathaway and Brendan Leipsic for playing time to start the 2020 campaign.
Hayden spent the entire 2019 season with the Blackhawks but only played in 54 NHL games. The 24-year-old had three goals and two assists (five points) to give him just 22 points (8G / 14A) in 113 career games. He will likely skate on the Devils’ third or fourth line in 2020.
In his second season with the Islanders, Eberle struggled in the regular season, posting just 37 points (19G / 18A) in 78 games but cranked it up in the playoffs. Eberle got hot in the first two rounds of the postseason, leading the Islanders with nine points (4G / 5A) in eight games. Eberle joins Andrew Ladd and Nick Leddy as players earning $5.5 AAV from the Islanders.
Dunn will play for the first time since taking a puck off of his face in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final. Dunn, who has two goals and five assists (seven points) in 16 playoff games, will replace Robert Bortuzzo on the Blues’ third pairing and will play on the second power-play unit.
Dunn has skated regularly this week and was a full participant on Wednesday but isn’t ready to return to the lineup for Game 2. The Blues depth defensemen had a tough time in Game 1 so they certainly could have used Dunn’s services in Game 2.
Dunn skated skated for the second straight day on Sunday but is not expected to play in Game 1 in Boston. Dunn has been out since Game 3 after being struck in the mouth by a Brenden Dillon shot. Blues head coach Craig Berube said there is a “good chance” that Dunn will be back at some point during the series. In the mean time, veteran defenseman Carl Gunnarsson will remain in the Blues lineup and has averaged 11:47 TOI/gm in the three games that he has replaced Dunn.
Grubauer stopped 37 of 39 shots in Colorado’s 2-1 loss in San Jose in Game 5. The Avalanche and Sharks have alternated wins and losses in this series and the Avalanche will need that trend to continue if they’re going to stay alive and force a Game 7. Grubauer has stopped 59 of 62 shots (.952 SV%) in the two games at the Pepsi Center in this series.
Grubauer surrendered three goals on 30 shots in Colorado’s 4-2 loss to the Sharks in Game 3. After playing exceptionally well in the first-round, Grubauer has allowed a combined 10 goals on 90 shots (.889 SV%) in his first three starts in round two. The Avalanche will stick with Grubauer in Game 4—he has stopped 89 of the 96 shots (.927 SV%) that he’s faced in the Pepsi Center during the postseason.
Grubauer stood tall in Game 2, allowing just two goals on 37 shots to allow the Avalanche to sneak away with a 3-2 OT win and a tied series heading back to Colorado. Grubauer has posted a .926 SV% through two games and was 10-5-1 with a 2.56 GAA and .913 SV% at the Pepsi Center this season.
McCann missed Game 2 due to an upper-body injury but is expected to replace Teddy Blueger in the lineup in Game 2.
McCann was forced to miss Game 2 with an upper-body injury but is expected to be back on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel in Game 3.
