Philipp Grubauer’s Smooth Pad Save
Goalie Philipp Grubauer earned the starting spot for the playoffs with his performance through March and April to even get the Avs into the playoffs. From March 3, he went 8-2-2.
I think it’s safe to say he earned the starting spot for round 2 with his performance against the Flames. Granted Calgary didn’t test him as much as Colorado tested Smith, but Grubauer was still solid. He recorded a .939 save percentage and 1.89 goals against average.
He also made the most highlight-reel of saves, one that may have saved the series. It came in Game 4 in overtime. Colorado won that game 3-2. Obviously, Grubauer failing to make that save would have resulted in a Calgary win, thus splitting the series.
The importance of the save wasn’t even what’s so amazing about it. Look at the form:
Can you believe how he just flexes his left leg, no big deal, to perfectly position his goalie pad to stop the puck? The man must have ice in his veins, like all good goalies do.
I think we can all feel comfortable with Grubauer as our number-one goalie moving forward.