Quote:
Originally Posted by chedder
My criticism wasn't that at all. Vladar was playing well going into the all-star break. He should have been given the leash to see if it could continue right after. Instead Markstrom is given the net back. Timing means something and playing the guy who has the confidence when he has it is a better plan than hoping the other guy gets it back.
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Going into the ASG Vladar had a winning streak but had been sub. 900 in most of those games. Markstrom was actually playing about the same but the team couldn’t score in front of him for some reason.
Since ASG, it’s been win and you’re in, like people actually wanted.
Post ASG, Markstrom lost the first game after the ASG in OT. Vladar played the second game after the ASG, and lost to Detroit with an .882 save%, so Sutter went back to Markstrom, who beat Buffalo and had a 9.13. So Markstrom got the net back and lost on OT to Ottawa. Vladar then got his chance again and lost (to Detroit again) with a 7.62. Markstrom won the next game against the Rangers, then lost to the Flyers. Vladar got the win against the Yotes with a .786 save %. So Sutter started him again against Vegas (against convention wisdom because it was BTB) and he lost. Markstrom then loses to the Avs, Vladar started against Boston and got yanked (and Markstrom was good in relief) and Markstrom got the start against the Leafs (and was good but lost).
Vladar has just not earned the net after the ASG. He’s been outperformed by Markstrom, sad as that is.