After giving up 3 goals on 9 shots in the previous game, Tampa Bay's Dwayne Roloson sat out in game 5 in Boston. In his place was on-and-off starter Mike Smith. Smith is a pretty good goalie who started about half of the games for Tampa in the 08-09 and the 09-10 seasons. He always appeared to be solid in net and he wasn't even too bad this year either in the regular season. This year he wasn't that bad either. He had a .899 SV% with a 2.90 SV% but injuries and other competition (Dan Ellis and Dwayne Roloson) forced him to only play 22 games this year. But he has proven himself to be reliable-enough when they need him to be. And Mike Smith was just that in tonights game. He appeared steady and calm during game 5, which isn't an easy task especially in the TD Garden in Boston. I was truly impressed with the way he plays the puck. I previously expressed my concerns about NHL goalies playing the puck (http://robinsnest-yoro.blogspot.com/2011/05/goalies-playing-puck.html) but Smith is exceptionally well at it. Several times he wristed it the length of the ice in hopes of springing an odd man break. He also had a dazzling save against Zdeno Chara in the 3rd period on a 2-1 rush. He stretched out his glove and snagged it before it crossed the goal line. http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20102011,3,315&event=BOS448
So only one question remains:
WHO WILL START GAME 6 FOR THE BOLTS?
In possible-elimination games this year, the Lightning are 3-0. They came back from down 3-1 against the Penguins in the first round and stunned the hockey world with their series win. All of those wins came from Roloson. As did every other win in the playoffs for Tampa up until game 4. Roloson was lights out and didn't give up more than 3 goals in a game up until the game 2 against the Bruins. Boston appears to have figured Roloson out along with figuring out their 1-3-1 game play. The Bruins attacked the Lightning differently with quick passes up the ice and they were able to get passed the zone-type defense and get to the goalie. While not all of the goals this series were Rolosons fault, his 13 goals in less than 4 games is something that he has to fix quickly if he wants his team to win.
Smith on the other hand has yet to do anything wrong. It was Smith who relieved Roloson in game 4 when down 3-0 and he played great and didn't give up another goal and helped the team come back and win the game. Tonight the goals weren't his fault at all and he played very well again.
So the question remains.
Do we go with the previously-hot and veteran goaltender who gut us this far in the tournament although he hasn't been playing well recently?
Or do we go with the youngster and give him a chance to continue to play well but potentially risk the loss?
Well in my opinion, there's no way you sit Roloson again. Roloson played spectacular against the Penguins in the comeback and his team will feel more confident with him in net which is something they'll need in game 6. This series has been filled with quick goals, quick leads, and blown chances so far and the Lightning have to muster up a good performance on home ice in order to stay alive. Guy Boucher has been a pro handling his team this post season and I'm sure he'll want Roloson back in net for his team.
So only one question remains:
WHO WILL START GAME 6 FOR THE BOLTS?
In possible-elimination games this year, the Lightning are 3-0. They came back from down 3-1 against the Penguins in the first round and stunned the hockey world with their series win. All of those wins came from Roloson. As did every other win in the playoffs for Tampa up until game 4. Roloson was lights out and didn't give up more than 3 goals in a game up until the game 2 against the Bruins. Boston appears to have figured Roloson out along with figuring out their 1-3-1 game play. The Bruins attacked the Lightning differently with quick passes up the ice and they were able to get passed the zone-type defense and get to the goalie. While not all of the goals this series were Rolosons fault, his 13 goals in less than 4 games is something that he has to fix quickly if he wants his team to win.
Smith on the other hand has yet to do anything wrong. It was Smith who relieved Roloson in game 4 when down 3-0 and he played great and didn't give up another goal and helped the team come back and win the game. Tonight the goals weren't his fault at all and he played very well again.
So the question remains.
Do we go with the previously-hot and veteran goaltender who gut us this far in the tournament although he hasn't been playing well recently?
Or do we go with the youngster and give him a chance to continue to play well but potentially risk the loss?
Well in my opinion, there's no way you sit Roloson again. Roloson played spectacular against the Penguins in the comeback and his team will feel more confident with him in net which is something they'll need in game 6. This series has been filled with quick goals, quick leads, and blown chances so far and the Lightning have to muster up a good performance on home ice in order to stay alive. Guy Boucher has been a pro handling his team this post season and I'm sure he'll want Roloson back in net for his team.
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