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Vezina finalists to play in G2; Kadri's final appeal on Friday |
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Rick Sadowski
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Two Vezina Trophy finalists will be on opposite sides of the Ball Arena rink Wednesday when the Avalanche’s Philipp Grubauer and Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury play in Game 2 of the best-of-7 Stanley Cup first-round series.
Grubauer, Fleury and Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy were named finalists on Tuesday. NHL general managers vote for the award, given annually to the goalie voted the best at his position.
“I never thought in my life I’d be a part of that group, sitting on that table with Vasy and Flower, so it’s a huge honor,” Grubauer said. “It’s not only an honor for myself, but I think it represents the organization. It’s an honor for the coaching staff, for (goalie coach) Jussi (Parkkila), for everybody who’s put in the time and effort into it behind the scenes.”
Grubauer went 30-9-1 in 40 games (39 starts) this season, had a 1.95 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and tied former Avalanche and current New York Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov for the NHL lead in shutouts with seven.
Fleury was 26-10-0 this season with a 1.98 GAA, .928 save percentage and six shutouts.
Vasilevskiy, who won the award in 2018-19, is a finalist for the fourth year in a row. He went 31-10-1 with a 2.21 GAA, .925 save percentage and five shutouts.
"We're down to the final eight teams, so it's not surprising that three of the best goalies in the league are left,” Vegas coach Peter DeBoer said.
Grubauer made 24 saves Sunday in the Avalanche’s series-opening 7-1 win against the Golden Knights, who started Robin Lehner (30 saves).
"I knew from the beginning Robin would play some games, and I feel bad Robin was thrown into the lions there,” Fleury said. “I'm not always looking for individual awards, but it is humbling.”
DeBoer wouldn't name his starter, but Fleury will get the call. "I think it's probably obvious what the answer is," DeBoer said.
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The schedule, all times MT
Game 1 – Avalanche 7-1
Wednesday -- at Avalanche, 8 p.m.
Friday -- at Vegas, 8 p.m.
Sunday -- at Vegas, 8:30 p.m.
*Tuesday, June 8 -- at Avalanche, TBD
*Thursday, June 10 -- at Vegas, TBD
*Saturday. June 12 -- at Avalanche, TBD
* If necessary
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Grubauer said he’s looking forward to seeing Fleury at the opposite end of the rink.
“It makes it really exciting … I don’t think it happens too many times,” he said of Vezina finalists playing against each other in the playoffs. “It’s been a battle all season-long with him.
“He’s an unbelievable goalie. I watched him when I came over (from Germany) and played in the Canadian Hockey League. I always watched Flower, so obviously it’s kind of fun for me to think of him down at the other end and seeing him there.
“He’s definitely really exciting to watch. When I came over all I remember is his yellow pads with Pittsburgh. He’s one of the most exciting goalies to watch on the ice for sure.”
Grubauer said there is always room for improvement when he was asked about his play in Game 1.
“First game always a little you’re (in) feeling out mode to see what they’re doing, see what we’re doing, see what they’re kind of throwing at us,” he said. “Going to watch the video in the next couple hours and get ready for the next game. I thought we played a really strong game, 60 minutes. Everybody contributed, that was great, and that’s how it’s got to be in Game 2.”
Grubauer won’t need to be concerned about Vegas forward Ryan Reaves crowding his crease until Game 4 in Las Vegas on Sunday. He was suspended two games on Monday by the Dept. of Player Safety for his actions against Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves in the third period Sunday.
“A hard guy to play against, physical,” Grubauer said. “Usually he doesn’t really cross the line too many times. I thought he did a little bit with Gravy there, but stuff like that happens. He didn’t like the hit from Gravy on (Mattias) Janmark, so I get that he was trying to send a message; that’s his game. Player Safety took care of it, so that’s all I can really say.”
"I would term him day-to-day, but he wasn't in a good place today to practice," DeBoer said of Janmark.
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Nazem Kadri will have a final appeal of his eight-game suspension heard by an independent arbitrator on Friday under the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement. The arbitrator's ruling is binding.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the suspension’s length on Monday following Kadri’s first appeal over Zoom last Thursday. He’ll serve the fourth game of the penalty Wednesday.
The NHL Dept. of Player Safety suspended him for his illegal hit to the head of St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk in Game 2 of the first-round series.
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