Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Posted: 6:58 p.m.
By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com
SUNRISE, Fla.One of the things that makes Peter Laviolette such an interesting character to be around is that one never really knows what the Flyers coach is thinking.
Brian Boucher pretty much stole two points Tuesday night in Tampa with a 4-3 shootout win over the Lightning in the battle between the Eastern Conferences top, two clubs. Boucher had 24 saves and has now stopped 11 of 14 shootout attempts this season.
So, youd think Boucher would start Wednesday night here against the Florida Panthers, right? He earned it, no?
Nah.
Sergei Bobrovsky, who played in Sundays gut-wrenching 1-0 loss at home against the LA Kings, got the nod.
You thought that maybe he earned some favors with the way he played? Laviolette asked. Theres no question he earned everybodys favor from the way he played the game. He played it very well. Our team went in there and did what we needed to do.
NHL
But its not really about that. Hes a veteran goaltender and we got back-to-back games and both goalies playing well right now. This was a chance not to have to go back-to-back with Boosh.
Laviolette added that with the number of games coming up between now and all next month, he wants to keep his goalies fresh by avoiding consecutive night starts.
Boucher didnt have an issue with it, either. But is he okay with back-to-backs at age 34?
Its not a big deal, Boucher said. With what the schedule has laid out of you, its a situation where if you dont have an injury youre nursing, its not a big issue for me.
Sometimes, you feel better in the second end of back-to-back because you dont have a morning skate. You get rest all day. Either way, its no big deal.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net