Philipp Grubauer has three shutouts in his last five starts. That is more than Semyon Varlamov has had all season.



Context is everything when it comes to fully grasping what Grubauer is achieving in the most critical stage of the Colorado Avalanche’s season. The Avs are a playoff bubble team trying to sneak into a Western Conference wild-card spot.



Every game matters. Each win, along with some help, keeps that objective alive. Every loss is a step closer toward being omitted from the playoffs after the Avalanche reached the postseason a year earlier.



Sunday served as a prime example. Grubauer stopped 22 shots in a 3-0 win against the New Jersey Devils at Pepsi Center. There is reason to be skeptical of his latest victory. The Avalanche should beat a team that owns the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference, particularly one without key players such as center Nico Hischier and superstar left winger Taylor Hall, the reigning Hart Trophy...