In 57 minutes of ice time before it all came crashing down Thursday inside the Pepsi Center — a stunning 3-1 Avalanche loss to the visiting Carolina Hurricanes — the night was defined by Philipp Grubauer’s excellence in Colorado’s net.
The Avs’ starting goaltender saved the first 37 shots he faced with instincts and quickness that surely began to quiet those who wondered: Should Pavel Francouz be Colorado’s go-to goalie?
Of course, a disastrous final 3 minutes with a pair of Grubauer-allowed goals and one open-netter cast a shadow over his otherwise impressive outing. Grubauer earned third-star honors in the loss, but a quick exit from the Avalanche locker room signaled a sour mood.