Monday, June 7, 2010

Looking at the Cup After Game 5



After the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 7-4, to take Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals, the immediate talk centered on which goaltender the Flyers would use in Game 6.

Keith Jones of Versus said he guaranteed that Michael Leighton, who was pulled after the first period of Game 5, would be the starter again on Wednesday night. Kevin Weekes, who has been working on the NHL Network during the finals, thought that Brian Boucher had earned the starting nod for Game 6.

The Puck Daddy blog looks at the question a bit deeper, although it prefaces it's post by stating that it really doesn't matter who starts so long as the Flyers play Game 6 as they did Game 5.

But that's too simple (It may be true, but that response is more about being a smart aleck than trying to view the game from a coach's perspective). You are trying to decide who will give you the best chance to win with the assumption that you will play your best game. You shouldn't open the door to the ice if you don't think you will play your best. (This is most likely the reason why the Puck Daddy blog decided to carry out it's analysis rather than just say, a la "Meatballs," "It just doesn't matter. It just doesn't matter." By the way, that movie gave us Bill Murray in a Blackhawks jacket straight from Gunzo's, just like mine.)

And just remember, Flyers Coach Peter Laviolette did not spend a second, either after Game 5 or (below) during the off-day, considering a response to the reporter who asked whom he would start in net on Wednesday. He knows; he's not telling. Next question.



Here are some postgame thoughts, first from Leighton.



Next up in the Lounge is Boucher.



OK, now that you've weight all the words, written and spoken, just whom would you start for Game 6 if you were Laviolette?

I say Boucher. He has looked much more confident in his time in net and I believe he can best complement his team's effort rather than force them to do even more to lessen the goaltender's workload.

But I'm just behind the bar here at the Lounge. What do the customers say? (Here is what Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer has to say. And now that we've heard from the Inky, I guess I'll have to dig up a copy of the Daily News to see of that part of Philly is on board with the same plan.

Ah, here's that copy of the Philadelphia Daily News. Rich Hoffman is wondering a bit about the goaltending situation as well.

Down at at the other end of the bar, Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville looks pretty good after doing some major shuffling of lines. My question, why did it take until Game 5? Yeah, I know. I'm no expert. But that is why I am asking the question. What made him confident that he did not have to make major changes for Games 3 or 4, considering that there were signs of trouble?

Those are the words on the bar today in the Lounge. Following the spreadsheet bookwork on Game 5, you will find the latest installment of "Coach's Corner."

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Stanley Cup Finals
Best of 7
At Chicago 7, Philadelphia 4
(Chicago leads, 3-2)
Recap is here.
Three Stars by Puck Daddy.

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