Gotta go with your starter even if he's stunk up the joint, when the back up hasn't done anything in the last 3 months that warrants giving him the net.
Hopefully one day soon we have a goalie who gives us confidence again, and not jus for short spurts, but pretty much all the time.
Stajan and Bouma's contracts are expiring a year too late. Great guys but they make up 2/3 of a very expensive and underwhelming 4th line, and now they can't even draw in for an elimination game where it's win or go golfing.
glad to see stajan out. if we just judge him by what he brings on the ice, it's pretty meh, and in my view, ineffective for the 4th line center role. slow, avg to below avg skill, and easily outmuscled.
I have been equally as hard on bouma all year, but have to agree he looked decent this series. Would have preferred him over f. hamilton but its a non-issue.
If brouwer can build off a really good previous game, i look forward to seeing that 4th line tonight.
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I like the changes to the 4th line only because I think the young guys will bring a bit more jump to the game.
That being said, they better not take any stupid penalties because they are all jacked-up.
Go out there and skate hard and finish your checks, but no stick work please!
Well Elliott has been given every opportunity to succeed here. No idea what his future looks like but if he wants to be a starter next you I expect him to have a good game. He has no other choice
hope we don't find out but curiuos how the coaching staff prepare as far as Elliotts leash today. If there are 2 meh goals given up in the first half of the game would they be ready to pull the trigger on a goalie change?
I actually think the flames really have NO other option as far as Elliott. With johnson not playing in a month, and unclear if he is even 100% healthy, would be questionable to have him even step into an elimination game. Gilles makes even less sense given how he doesn't even have regular season experience let alone a playoff elimination game.
Let's hope Elliott really battles back from a meh series so far and finds that form he had during the win streak.
Love putting Lazar in there but I've never seen any redeeming feature in Freddie's game. Doesn't hit much, doesn't score much, no real passion to his game or personality. I'd have kept one of Staj or Bouma in there. Certainly can't put any blame on those guys for Elliott's tank job.
If Elliott lets a softie in on the first goal against, do you pull him immediately? The way he's been playing, I would. He's shown no resilience in this series after a soft goal.
--nerd -- 
