One of the things that stands out in these playoffs is how important it is to have two good goaltenders. That goes for both the season and the playoffs.
I hope Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes takes note and designs accordingly. I even wondered if we didn’t use Andrei Vasilevskiy (Lightning) and Connor Hellebuyck (Jets) too much in the regular season.
They’re two of the best goalies in the NHL, but for some reason their performances since the start of the playoffs haven’t lived up to expectations, at least ahead of yesterday’s games. Is it tiredness? Hellebuyck has played 64 games, Vasilevskiy 60.
I hate to ask myself that question because I still believe that a real number one should play almost 62 games and the reserve team 20. Still, those 20 games are very important in the context of a team struggling to compete in the series.
It’s true that not all teams rely on an elite goalkeeper and I take notes when I’m not fully transitioned, but it’s a new mentality.
The fact remains that the Panthers and the Wild have both allowed starts to two different goaltenders so far in this first round of the playoffs; the Oilers are close to giving Jack Campbell one, not to mention the Golden Knights are backing Laurent Brossoit due to injuries and the Hurricanes are backing their number two in Antti Raanta.
The good news in Winnipeg and Tampa is that there are no questions about the identity of the goaltender for the next game, but it’s different elsewhere.
Lyon or Bobrowski?
Take the case of the Panthers. Due to the absence of Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight, Alex Lyon played the last eight games of the season and it was he who led the team to the playoffs.
Lyon deservedly made it into the playoffs, even beating Boston 6-3 in Game 2. However, with a 3-0 deficit in the third period in Game 3, coach Paul Maurice pulled him back. Sergei Bobrovsky played Game 4, a 6-2 loss (30 shots, 5 conceded) in which he wasn’t brilliant.
The Panthers are shaping up to be a new version of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that just can’t make it past the first round, and questions continue to circulate on the net. Who will be Maurice’s pick to avoid elimination in match number 5?
While we can’t fault Lyon much, to beat the best team in the NHL, Maurice has to pick whoever has the best chance of stealing a game, and that’s Bobrovsky. He’s not in the form of a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, but he’s the Panthers’ best card and he blew away the rust in the last game.
Why Fleuri?
I had no problem with Wild coach Dean Evason starting the playoffs with Filip Gustavsson. He deserved the first start after his great season and he was great in a 3-2 double overtime win with 51 saves in Dallas.
But why the hell are you coming back in Game 2 with Marc-Andre Fleury? After a performance like that, a coach doesn’t want to throw his goalkeeper out of rhythm. Besides, it was unfair to Fleury. It’s always difficult to replace a goalkeeper who has just had an exceptional game. Evason is a personal friend and I will definitely be speaking to him about this decision when I get the chance.
– Interview by Gilles Moffet
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Chance for Campbell
Despite a great season, Stuart Skinner was underwhelming in goal for the Oilers. relief in game number four, Jack Campell managed to stop the Kings momentum and help them overcome a 3-0 deficit, win 5-4 in overtime and tie the series 2-2. Campbell has a golden opportunity to salvage his season. The Oilers’ MVP is Leon Draisaitl, but rest assured Connor McDavid has yet to say his final word. Can’t wait to see Joonas Korpisalo rebound in the net for the Kings. We know the Oilers can score goals, but they need to cut their chances against them.
The tough octopus
I often say that the first round of the playoffs is the hardest, so the octopus Seattle were just a goal away from handing Colorado back with a 2-0 lead. However, if there’s one show I expected to be one-sided, it’s this one.
Toronto newspapers
Photo: AFP
Andrei Vasilyevsky
I was reading the Toronto papers yesterday before the game and we seemed to rule it out Andrei Vasilyevsky the equation. I don’t know how yesterday went, but you should never count beating a goalkeeper of his caliber. Don’t forget that the Nordiques were 2-0 up against the Canadiens in 1993 when Daniel Bouchard said he found Patrick Roy wrong. We know the rest.
Dubois makes you dream
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Pierre Luc Dubois
At this point, I don’t know if the series is tied 2-2 or if the Golden Knights lead 3-1, but I really liked what I saw Pierre Luc Dubois at the jets. I understand those who dream of seeing him in a Canadiens jersey. The loss of Josh Morrissey hurts the Jets. Connor Hellebuyck must be wonderful in front of his net.
