Veteran goaltenders know they need to be sharp at a moment’s notice.
Like the Detroit Red Wings’ James Reimer and the Seattle Kraken’s Philipp Grubauer, who could very well play against each other in a Monday matinee in Seattle.
Both are coming off impressive victories following long layoffs that snapped losing streaks for their respective teams.
The 35-year-old Reimer, making his first appearance since Jan. 23 and his first start since Jan. 14, stopped 38 shots Saturday in a 5-0 victory at Calgary after the Red Wings had dropped the first two contests on their four-game trip.
“It’s nice when you can contribute to the team,” said Reimer, who posted his second shutout of the season. “That’s all you want to do. You just want to be part of the team and help get to our goal. You just try to be ready whenever your number is called.
“For the most part, everything was going well for me, and I was getting bounces.”
Alex Lyon was in net for 18 of Detroit’s previous 19 games with Ville Husso injured.
“We battled hard today and Reims was unbelievable for us,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. “That was a performance defensively I think we needed. It starts with your goaltender, and he was lights out.”
The victory kept the Red Wings in sole possession of the Eastern Conference’s second and final wild-card playoff spot.
“If we want to stay in this battle, which we are right in the middle of, we can’t have extended losing streaks,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “I know it’s only two games, but you’re looking at Seattle on the road (on Monday). We knew this was going to be a tough trip. Great response from the guys, a good win.”
The Kraken’s Grubauer made his first appearance since Dec. 9 on Tuesday, making 26 saves and then stopping all three attempts in the shootout in a 2-1 victory against the host New York Islanders.
Grubauer had missed six weeks with a lower-body injury and lost his starting job to Joey Daccord.
“He was really solid,” Kraken coach David Hakstol said of Grubauer. “He did a nice job being real settled and calm in net. Our guys did a really good job in front of him.”
Grubauer said the most difficult part of his night was the shootout.
“It’s not that easy,” he said. “The timing is not right always. And obviously, it’s a little bit different with game speed and different shooters. You can practice it at home or, with our guys, I know what their speed and their approach is, and with their guys, it’s a little bit different. You can only watch so many videos, but if they make a different move in that situation, it’s a little bit different. So, yeah, it’s pretty tough, but we found a way.”
Daccord returned to the Seattle net Thursday and made 36 saves in a 4-1 victory in Boston, his hometown. That helped the Kraken go 2-2 on their four-game trip.
Fellow Boston-area native Matty Beniers had a goal and two assists for the Kraken.
“Great to come into Boston and beat one of the best teams in the league right now,” Beniers said. “It’s obviously a confidence booster and a testament that we can play the right way, and you know, win games like that.”
–Field Level Media
