Didn't the Pens sit Fleury back in the day although he was playing well? I seem to remember rumours of how choked he was at that. It all worked out in the end, but it was stupid then and stupid now.
If Sam was in way over his head ala Sven then yes, sit him. Since he is clearly not, play him contracts be damned. Even if the Flames lose, they will need to see exactly what it will take to play the best. Despite losing the series the young players are learning what it will take to win at the highest level go forward.
Oilers kids don't have that. They only know giving up on the road to here. That is the big difference. Our future core has been seasoned properly to take it to the next level, theirs has not. This will pay huge dividends for us.
|