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Pre-game reading: Philipp Grubauer is enjoying the compressed schedule

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Philipp Grubauer posts his third shutout performance of the season as T.J. Oshie and Brett Connolly score to help the Capitals beat the Kings 5-0.

-- Up top, Philipp Grubauer notched his third shutout of the season Sunday. The Capitals’ backup goalie now sports a 10-3-2 record with a sparkling .931 save percentage.

-- Grubauer, 25, is one of the few players who’s enjoying the NHL’s compressed schedule. “You don’t have to wait two or three weeks to get a chance. It helps winning because if you lose it’s going to stick with you for a week or two weeks. If I lose I don’t want to be seen, I don’t want to be seen around the rink.” Grubauer’s strong play has likewise been good for starter Braden Holtby, who’s been able to get a rest whenever he needs it. (Washington Post)

-- In praise of Oilers starter Cam Talbot, who’s been by far the busiest goalie in the NHL this season. “Talbot started his league-leading 49th game on Sunday, ran his league-leading minutes played total to 2,922:08, league-leading shots against total to 1,439, and league-leading saves total to 1,326. He also put up his 27th win, good for a second-place tie in the NHL, and a fifth goose egg, tying him for third.” Talbot has played almost 260 more minutes than the NHL’s second-busiest goalie, San Jose’s Martin Jones. (Edmonton Journal)

-- Why it’s time to bring back the Quebec Nordiques, by Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News. “As in Winnipeg, a love for hockey never died in the city. You can still walk into sporting goods stores and find rafts of Nordiques gear, while major junior’s Remparts currently bring fans to the Videotron Centre. In fact, the Remparts are one of the top-drawing CHL franchises around, despite being a middling team this year. The team’s most recent game, against Rimouski, drew more than 12,600 fans.” (The Hockey News)

-- A look at which teams have the easiest and hardest schedules down the stretch. Good news for the Carolina Hurricanes, who still have two games against both Arizona and Colorado. Bad news for the Vancouver Canucks, who kick off a six-game road trip tomorrow in Nashville. (TSN)

-- The Islanders are hosting the Maple Leafs tonight, so of course the traveling Toronto media inquired about John Tavares’ contract status (UFA 2018). Here was his response: “At this point, I’ve got enough to worry about with our team and trying to make the playoffs. I can understand and respect why the questions are being asked. It’s something to talk about, it’s something that’s coming up in the future. But for myself, I just try to worry about playing.” Tavares indicated at the All-Star Game that he’d be willing to negotiate an extension with the Isles this summer. (Toronto Sun)

Enjoy the games!