All the latest from the blue paint...
Interesting times in Washington
Philipp Grubauer gets the call over Braden Holtby (again) on Friday when the Caps host the Rangers at Verizon. The German ‘tender has been a revelation for Washington since his recall from AHL Hershey, starting five of 10 games (tonight will be his sixth) while posting a 4-1-1 record with a 2.20 GAA and .934 save percentage.
This will also mark Gubauer’s second straight start, as he stopped 26 of 29 shots in a 3-2 loss to Anaheim on Monday. He’ll be going up against another backup making waves in Cam Talbot, who’ll make his third straight start for the Rangers ahead of Henrik Lundqvist.
Peters over Ward
Carolina’s goaltending situation took another curious turn on Friday, as the ‘Canes announced Justin Peters would make his third straight start when they host Pittsburgh at PNC Arena.
Trade rumors were swirling around Peters and Anton Khudobin last week, but the new story might be Peters taking a run at Cam Ward’s No. 1 gig. Peters stopped 47 of 50 shots in a 3-2 OT loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday, earning him Monday’s start against Columbus -- a 4-3 loss in which he only made 21 saves.
Despite that, the ‘Canes opted to stand pat in goal. That means Ward now will go at least nine days between games; he last played in a 4-2 loss to Washington on Dec. 20, and the ‘Canes don’t play again until Sunday in Toronto.
Elsewhere...
Senators at Bruins: Robin Lehner vs. Tuukka Rask
Blue Jackets at Devils: Curtis McElhinney vs. Martin Brodeur
Sabres at Maple Leafs: Ryan Miller vs. Jonathan Bernier
Wild at Jets: Niklas Backstrom vs. Ondrej Pavelec
Avalanche at Blackhawks: Jean-Sebastien Giguere vs. Antti Raanta
Predators at Stars: Carter Hutton will go for Nashville; Kari Lehtonen is likely but unconfirmed for Dallas.
Oilers at Flames: Devan Dubnyk vs. Reto Berra
Sharks at Coyotes: Antti Niemi vs. Mike Smith