I always think ~57 regular season games is the sweet spot.
Markstrom started 75 this year, a 25% increase from his previous career high.
12 games in 23 nights during the playoffs...doesn't necessarily sound like a ton, but it kinda is. In the regular season he would generally play 8-9 games over that span.
Jan 22-Feb 12 he played 10 games in 21 days (pulled for 1 period). I don't think it's a bad idea to do a heavier-load playoff 'simulation' at some point in the season, but you gotta manage the load on either side of it.
He started 36 out of 43 games between Jan 22 and April 21 - that's a 69 start pace /82. Foolish and unnecessary.
He started 26 of the team's first 35 games - a 61 start pace, which I think was reasonable as it included the extended Xmas/COVID break.
If you're really afraid to start your backup it's just a sign that your team isn't nearly good enough. Or Sutter is just stubborn.
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