Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
Not really. The last few champions have played their goalies just as I stated:
· Last year Grubauer started Games #1 and #2, lost them both, was pulled in Game #3, which Holtby won and then went the distance.
· In 2017 Fleury won two rounds after Murray was injured at the end of the season, and then three games in Round #3. Murray and then went on to win the series and eventually the Stanley Cup.
· In 2016 Jeff Zatkov started Games #1 and #2, was replaced by Murray for Game #3, who started all of the rest of the games.
As near as I can recall the last playoff team that rotated their starters was the 2003 Minnesota Wild. Since then teams have followed the same pattern: pick a guy to play at the start of the playoffs, and run with him. If he falters, switch him out for the other guy and survive or falter. For whatever reason teams don't rotate goalies in the playoffs.
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So what you are saying is that Washington and Pittsburgh proved it was prudent to have 2 viable goalie options in case one collapses.
In a series where you only need to lose 4 of 7 to be out, being able to have a good 1B to turn to is gold. Your examples indicate just how important it is.