Saturday, March 19, 2011
Posted: 6:49 p.m.Updated: 8:45 p.m.
By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com
DALLASThere are a lot of theories out there as to who will be the Flyers' starting goalie in the playoffs.
The key here is that whoever coach Peter Laviolette starts in first round, might not be the guy who finishes somewhere deep into May or June.
With a win against the Stars, the Flyers would clinch a playoff berth.
Laviolette often plays whoever has shown a mastery against an opponent, such as Brian Boucher against the Rangers.
Most nights, he looks at the club the Flyers are playing and if its a quick, transition team that doesnt dump and chase, he goes with Sergei Bobrovsky. Bob started Saturday against the Stars.
NHL
Then again, Boucher played the first game against Dallas this season. Boucher almost always works games in which the opponents dump the puck and force the goalie to handle it. Hes better at that than Bob.
Why Bob against Dallas?
I just want to get him back in there, Laviolette said. They are a defensive team that waits for turnovers and transition, yes. But its more just to get Bob going.
There are 11 games left to play after Saturday. Laviolette said he would not focus on one goalie down the stretch to ready that particular guy for the playoffs.
Our team has been successful because of its parts, he said. One line has been hot and one line has not been hot. One set of defense has been hot and one has not. Weve counted on everyone. The same holds true for the goaltending. Our goaltending has been consistent but its moved around. I havent changed from what you guys asked me three months ago.
Back then, he said he would pick one lineup for the opening game, but might not stick with it. Similarly, he said he would alternate goalies if need be. Nothing has changed.
We could, its possible and its possible one guy could run the gamet, Laviolette said.
Heres another theory. If Laviolette starts Bob in the playoffs and the rookie cant handle the job, its a lot easier to move Boucher, a playoff veteran with pressure experience, in there.
If you start Boucher, and he cant handle it, then it puts all the pressure on an untested rookie to save the Flyers.
Its easier and safer to go the other route.
Just a theory.
Loose pucks
Andreas Nodl replaced Jody Shelley in the lineup against the Stars. He had not played in four straight gamesLaviolette said he would continue to shuffle his lines, less anyone get too comfortable but also to keep it fresh and push up minutes on players.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
Related: Flyer & Ice: Flyers-Stars game notes; Bob in netBuy Flyers gear