WASHINGTON — In obscure roles, Philipp Grubauer and Andre Burakovsky helped the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018. Grubauer finished as the Caps’ backup goaltender after he started the first two playoff games. And Burakovsky was a depth winger, playing in 13 of 24 playoff games.
On Monday, they return to Washington as front-line players for the 4-0 Avalanche. Grubauer is Colorado’s clear-cut No. 1 goalie and will make his fourth start. And Burakovsky is one of the Avs’ top-six wingers and has scored a goal in each of his past two games, including a game-winner in overtime to defeat Arizona at the Pepsi Center Saturday night.