The Grand Rapids Griffins may need a new approach against Manitoba Moose goalie Domenic Divincetiis because he’s not the same Domenic DiVincentiis they beat three times in the regular season.
The old DeVincentiis posted a 3.03 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage in the regular-season. He was 1-3 against Grand Rapids. In those three losses, the Winnipeg Jets seventh-round pick gave up 12 Grand Rapids goals on 75 shots on goal. That’s an .840 save percentage.
The reinvented DiVincentiis, meanwhile, owns a 1.02 playoff GAA and a .968 save percentage. That includes stopping 69 of 71 shots in the first two playoff games against the Griffins. Solving the secret to DiVincentiis’s playoff magic is one of the Griffins’ primary missions for Wednesday’s Game 3 in Grand Rapids.
In the first two games, this series has been Griffin goalies Michal Postava vs. DiVincentiis. If the Griffins can take charge offensively, this becomes a much easier series. Postava seems to be at the top of his game and the Moose are a below average offensive team.
On paper, the Griffins should be able to fill the net in this series. They were 6-1-1-0 against Manitoba in the regular season. They average 3.54 goals per game, while the Moose average 2.57 goals per game. The Griffins scored 70 more goals than the Moose this season.
Red Wings In Case You Missed It
Bob Duff looks at how the Red Wings have drafted in the NHL draft’s second round.
Grand Rapids Griffins sign Detroit draft pick Noah Dower-Nilsson to a professional tryout deal.
Prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygard makes case to be a full-time Red Wings player next fall.
Red Wings Extra
As impressive as DiVincentiis has been in the postseason, he hasn’t been better than Grand Rapids goalie Postava. The Red Wings prospect has stopped 52 of 53 shots in the first two games against the Moose. His 2-0 shutout in Game 2 was the first Griffins shutout since Jared Coreau had one (also against the Moose) for the Griffins in 2018. Former Red Wings player Petr Mrazek is the only other Griffins rookie to post a playoff shutout. Mrazek recorded four in the Griffins’ 2013 Calder Cup championship run in 2013. Here is Postava’s more eye-catching statistical note: In 27 games for the Griffins this season, he has not given up more than three goals. He gave up two or fewer 21 times and three in six games.
Hockey Now Digest
Colorado: Gabriel Landeskog is a finalist for the Masterton Trophy. Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin and Winnipeg’s Jonathan Toews are the other finalists. Colorado Avalanche.
Philadelphia: Although the Flyers are still in the playoffs, the NHL draft lottery matters to them. Philadelphia Flyers.
Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes that Pittsburgh fans want to see Evgeni Malkin get another contract. Pittsburgh Penguins.