Grubauer finding his groove as Kraken keep rolling

CALGARY — Philipp Grubauer’s comeback season continued Monday with another masterful performance between the pipes.

Seattle’s 34-year-old goaltender made 41 saves to backstop the surging Kraken to a 5-1 NHL victory over the Calgary Flames.

“Second period, we were a little under the fire there, but we managed to get away and get out of that one with a (1-1) tie, and it was a phenomenal third period,” said Grubauer.

That’s four straight wins for Grubauer with just one goal allowed in each outing. He improved to 8-3-1 on the season and his .926 save percentage on the year is second to Minnesota’s Jesper Wallstedt (. 928) among goaltenders with 10 or more starts.

“In the first two periods, I thought we gave up too much, and I thought he was amazing for us, and he has been,” said Seattle coach Lane Lambert.

It’s been quite the turnaround considering it was last January that Grubauer, 5-15-1 with an .866 save percentage at the time, went unclaimed on waivers and was assigned to the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he remained until a late-season call-up.

With two years remaining on his six-year, US$35.4-million contract signed in 2021, the club was so uncertain about what they were going to get from him that they signed veteran Matt Murray to a one-year deal to join Grubauer and Joey Daccord in the Kraken crease.

Opening this season with three goalies on the roster, Grubauer started just one of the club’s first 13 games.

But over the past month with Murray (lower body) on injured reserve, he has essentially been alternating starts with Daccord.

“It’s nice to play a couple and not sit on the bench or not dress for four weeks,” said Grubauer. “It’s tough for any player in this league to come in and then right away jump. It’s basically like you’re coming out of summer break every time you play.”

As the playing time has increased, his performance has improved.

“You also need to produce, you need to win, in order to stay in there,” said Grubauer. “Guys have done a phenomenal job in front of me. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible.”

His teammates appreciate how well their seasoned goaltender has been playing.

“Look at the last four starts he’s had. He’s playing incredible,” said right-winger Jacob Melanson, whose first NHL goal extended his point streak to four games (one goal, three assists).

“Joey as well. Having those guys behind us is a lot of confidence for us, being able to play our game and know that they’ve got our back.”

The win moves the Kraken into third in the Pacific Division, one point back of Vegas and Edmonton. Seattle is even in games with the Golden Knights and holds two games in hand on the Oilers.

“Trying to give the team a chance to win every single night,” said Grubauer. “With this team, we’ve done a phenomenal job going into the last period. I think every game we play, we have a chance to win it in the last period, right? So that’s the goal. Just one stop at a time, and then one game at a time.”

Despite being outshot 31-19 after two periods, Grubauer’s strong play kept the game tied 1-1 going to the third when Seattle erupted for four goals.

“Just feel so steady with him back there and he’s so calm back there, making saves and bailing us out if you make a bad play, or give up a good chance,” said Shane Wright, who scored the game-winner at 1:57. “He’s just been playing unbelievable for us.”

Vince Dunn, Freddy Gaudreau, and Matty Beniers rounded out the third-period onslaught.

Asked what’s been the difference with Grubauer this season, first-year Kraken coach Lambert listed a number of things.

“He’s reading the game real well. His focus has been really solid. I think our goaltending coach (Colin Zulianello) and him have a good relationship, and he’s done a really good job with him, and I just think his professionalism,” said Lambert.

“We’ve had three goalies here, Matt Murray’s injured, but with three goalies, Philipp worked hard over the summer and just came in and said, ‘I’m going to try and win a job and play more,’ and that’s what he’s doing.”

While the Olympics are just over a month away, Grubauer — one of the initial six players named to Germany’s team six months ago — says his focus remains on the Kraken and solidifying their spot in the standings.

“We still have a lot of hockey left to play,” he said with a smile.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2026.