I think Sutter believes firmly in the "get the first win in back to backs" theory.
If you start your backup and he blows it, then you have a tired team in front of your starter the next night and could get swept.
This makes some sense. I also wouldn't be surprised if Markstrom only faces like 20 shots that he'd get tomorrow's start as well.
I've actually noticed a lot of teams playing their starter against the weaker team and backup against the stronger team in back to backs in the past few years, but haven't really paid attention to see if it's actually the case that starters tend to play the first game.
I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't just part of the Darryl Sutter book of mind games. Play the starter today after an off-game, pound the Yotes. Carry that momentum into a BoA game where they have to play a sound defensive game because Markstrom isn't there to bail them out.
And it's a way to tell the Oilers that no matter what Darryl says in the public, he believes his team with a backup goalie is better than your team.
I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't just part of the Darryl Sutter book of mind games. Play the starter today after an off-game, pound the Yotes. Carry that momentum into a BoA game where they have to play a sound defensive game because Markstrom isn't there to bail them out.
And it's a way to tell the Oilers that no matter what Darryl says in the public, he believes his team with a backup goalie is better than your team.
I'm not so sure.
I think Sutter has a very different opinion of the Oilers than most of CP.
He always refers to them and Vegas as the best teams in the Division.
Oilers are no good, yes, but they are dangerous.
I think Sutter believes firmly in the "get the first win in back to backs" theory.
If you start your backup and he blows it, then you have a tired team in front of your starter the next night and could get swept.
He also notably stated Vladar against the Avs twice, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he started against the Oilers too.
Maybe he’s playing mind games to motivate his own team to play tight defence. Maybe he’s playing mind games that if they lose with their backup, that’s ok in future matchups because they have their starter. And if they win with their backup, that gives them even more confidence.
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