ARLINGTON, Va. -- Philipp Grubauer will remain the starting goaltender for the Washington Capitals when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Capital One Arena on Sunday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN360, TVAS2, NBCSWA, FS-O).

Grubauer made 23 saves on 27 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 1 of the best-of-7 series Thursday.

Tom Kuhnhackl and Conor Sheary could have a future in pretend public-address announcing if the whole hockey thing doesn't pan out.

NHL.com has identified a potential X-factor from each Stanley Cup Playoff team to help round out your postseason roster or provide value in DFS contests.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The biggest decision of Philipp Grubauer's career -- before Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz decided to start the goaltender in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round -- might have been the one he made when he was 12.

Growing up in Germany, Grubauer chose hockey over soccer but was undecided on a position. Though he'd been a goaltender since he was 6, he also liked playing defenseman.

Goaltending is an integral part of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. To better understand the strengths and weaknesses of each goaltender, the last 100 goals allowed for each were charted, with the help of Double Blue Sport Analytics from Upper Hand Inc., to see what patterns emerge.

EDMONTON -- Coach Todd McLellan and his staff are not guaranteed to return for the Edmonton Oilers next season, general manager Peter Chiarelli said Wednesday.

When the Capitals take the ice at Capital One Arena Thursday for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, they'll have Philipp Grubauer, between the pipes.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Philipp Grubauer will be the starting goaltender for the Washington Capitals when they open the Eastern Conference First Round against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; USA, SN360, TVAS, FS-O, NBCSWA).

Coach Barry Trotz informed Grubauer and Braden Holtby of the decision on Monday; it was announced after the Capitals practiced at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Tuesday.

PITTSBURGH -- Philipp Grubauer stole the spotlight from teammate Alex Ovechkin, who played in his 1,000th NHL game, and might have claimed the starting goaltending job for the Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the process with a 3-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday.

Starting against the rival Penguins for the first time in his career, Grubauer, who played in his 100th NHL game, made 36 saves to help the Capitals clinch the Metropolitan Division title for the third consecutive season.

PITTSBURGH -- The Washington Capitals clinched first place in the Metropolitan Division with a 3-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday.