Boosh? Bob? Lavy won't say
Who's the goaltender in Game 3 for the Flyers?
Boosh? Bob? Lavy won't say
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Brian Boucher?
Sergei Bobrovsky?
Game 3?
Coach?
“I don’t talk about goaltenders,” Peter Laviolette said. He also says he does not talk about injuries or lineups. The man is no fun -- except that, in the absence of word from the Flyers’ coach, everyone is just going to revert to speculation-on-overdrive about the identity of the Flyers’ starting goalie on Monday night in Buffalo.
We all saw what happened. We have seen it happen a bunch of times before. Bobrovsky started Game 2 against the Sabres and allowed three first period goals on seven shots and that was that. In came Boucher, who brings a steadiness to his business that Bobrovsky cannot always harness.
“There’s a calmness to him,” Laviolette said. “There’s a presence about him.”
Thereafter, Boucher was excellent in the Flyers’ 5-3 victory, stopping 21 out of 22 shots and really having no chance on the one that got past him. Hence, the questions.
Boucher is unflappable in the post-game interview process, too, whenever this happens. He talks about being prepared and bring used to the role of backup and all of that. He never complains about his inability to secure the position as the Flyers' starter. He has been around the block a dozen times and he has been hit by a few punches along the way and he just rolls with them, expertly.
The issue for Laviolette is this: how would Bobrovsky react mentally if the decision was made to go here to Boucher -- and would it matter? Bobrovsky is a kid, and this is his first rodeo and, well, what if they made the change and he went in the tank mentally and then the Flyers needed him again in a few days or weeks?
That is the question hanging there in the back of everyone's mind. That is why Laviolette makes the big money. Because Boucher would respond well, regardless of the decision, is also why he makes the big money.
With that, we wait.
“It’s something we’ll deal with tomorrow,” Boucher said. “Either way, I’ll be ready.”
"Thereafter, Boucher was excellent in the Flyers’ 5-3 victory"
Except they won 5-4.— tripleplay83- BOOOSSSHHHHH!!— Inchon
- Bobrovsky, pulled in 2 of his last 3 games. Has let 7 goals in, on 42 shots. In the 2 games he was pulled, Boucher got the win. In the one game he wasn't pulled, Bobrovsky got the loss. The only real question is, who backs up Boucher?— Hexy4GM
- Leighton. Period— Boston Flyer
- There is a reason BOB was undrafted. We unfortunately are seeing it now. Shame on Holmgren for not upgrading the goaltending when he could have.
If BOB is the goalie of our future, the only parade we'll see is on new years day— Boston Flyer - Power Play Goal after a deflection in front changed direction twice...Power Play Goal after FIVE attempts from the post without a single Flyer clearing the crease...3 on 1 odd-man break...Pulled from game. Please tell me one memorable save Boucher made this evening...he was steady, but the pace of the game changed after adjustments during intermission. Boucher may steal a game or two, but does not possess the ability Bobrovsky does, nor the potential to steal a series or the cup. BOB is the better goalie, and anyone who watches hockey before the playoffs each year knows that.— tkohl
- @tkohl, that is a pretty crazy outlook on those goals you have there. Bobrovsky was literally out of his crease from over pursuing a puck to his left. He lost his post and let in a goal from behind the net. The third goal was the result of him being too deep in his crease and sitting down, rather than standing tall, in his butterfly. Those 5 attempts are pretty that you saw are pretty interesting, since he made 4 saves in the game. Boucher made a great save in his first minute of play, and had at least three important saves in the game. I remind you that they won by one goal. Your last statement is ridiculous, so it will not be responded to.— Hexy4GM
Comment removed.- Seems like a lot of you remember the one goal Leighton let in, rather than the several games where he didn't allow a goal. Getting beat by a team that is outplaying you, in the Stanley Cup Finals, is far more forgivable than losing to a low seeded, first-round opposition, that you are outplaying. Bobrovsky has been pulled 2 of his last three games. — Hexy4GM
- Bob was scrambly and overplayed the puck. He looked like a goalie from our Sunday night men's league games. Bob needs go to the press box because he is too inconsistent. 50/50 chance that you get the bad bob.
When are rich or frank going to put the question to Paul holmgren. He went on record this summer as saying they didn't need to upgrade their goaltending. I think based on the results of the last few months Paul needs to either admit he was completely wrong or snider needs to fire him.— lockmaster - The problem was not that they didn't upgrade their goaltending, it is that they downgraded it. Bobrovsky needed a season in the AHL before he would be NHL ready. — Hexy4GM
- I would go with Boucher.— ej610
- Booosh gives them the best chance in Buffalo, he has the experience. Our power play is pathetic— yourdaddy!
- Bob one more time.— bobbyd24
- Consistency is the key to winning playoff games. You know what you get with Boucher: consistent, steady goaltending. Not superb, expect to give up on average 2 goals a game. But steady. You do not know what you will get from game to game with BOB right now. Go with the steady hand.— Hexfoliation
