Are you comfortable with Brian Boucher as a playoff performer?
For all his ups and downs, Boucher has typically stepped up his game in the playoffs. In fact, his all time playoff record isn't really that different from Ryan Miller, who is respected as an elite goalie in the NHL.
Boucher all time in playoffs: 39 GP, 2.19, .915 Sv%, 20-15 (.571)
Miller all time in playoffs: 46 GP, 2.42, .918 Sv%, 25-21 (.543)
Now, obviously Miller is the better goalie in this series, I'm not saying that at all. But Boucher does seem to step up his game often in the playoffs. He's had a couple of weak goals in this series ... but mostly goalies do, they just don't do it when it kills you.
I also don't think that Boucher can be a full time starter either. But, I think I'm cool with him being the goalie for game 7, and future series if we are able to win tomorrow.
It's still a game-to-game basis. He's had chances in his career to take control of being the #1, and 11 years into his career he has yet to do it. Probably a reason for it.
Would have been nice if Bobrovsky didn't get thrown under the bus because Lavy felt bad for Leighton.
It's still a game-to-game basis. He's had chances in his career to take control of being the #1, and 11 years into his career he has yet to do it. Probably a reason for it.
Would have been nice if Bobrovsky didn't get thrown under the bus because Lavy felt bad for Leighton.
GKJ...... Is there anyway we can combine these 300 goalie threads into one and call it the Goaltending Thread and make it a sticky?? They are getting too hard to follow with 5 new ones every day.....
The reason Boucher is an ideal backup is because he is great...in spurts. He's extremely inconsistent, and when he's off...it's game 5. There's also a reason he holds the shutout record...
No, he is too streaky in his career which is why he isn't a number 1. Also he only ever had one full playoff as a starter so it's not like he has consistently shown he can be the guy in the playoffs.
GKJ...... Is there anyway we can combine these 300 goalie threads into one and call it the Goaltending Thread and make it a sticky?? They are getting too hard to follow with 5 new ones every day.....
I can merge some others, but this seems like a legit topic. Most of the others have to do with Leighton. I'll merge all of them if that's what everyone wants though.
Boucher is shown throughout his career is that like most goalies he is streaky. If you get him on a hot streak, he's as good as anybody. But there's no telling when he's going to have that clunker game. If he only has 1 per series, totally OK with it. Most goalies do. He seems to be able to bounce back, which unfortunately we never got to see with bob. He the mentally toughest of the 3.
Even the greatest goaltenders have / had stinker games, even in the playoffs. But the great ones have the ability to string some games together where they just seem unbeatable. That is not something we have experienced over the past several years.
I am definitely not comfortable with Boucher as the default #1. It's all well and good that Boucher recognizes when a goal is on him and apologizes to teammates. How about not having anything to apologize for?
Boosh's story is the same as it was in 2000. He has the talent to steal games now and then, but always lets the mental part of the game slip. He'll be good-great for a few games, then without warning he will show up and completely screw the pooch. And his ceiling isn't sustainable for enough games to make him a legit starter.
Depending on how well the team in front of him is doing, though, I think the solid games normally outnumber the bad (usually good for 3-4 good games before he drops a turd on the ice)...so yeah, he can get the job done with a great team in front of him.
And for all of his wacky ineptitudes at times, his playoff numbers are pretty good. Though I'll be the first to tell you that a goalie's stats alone aren't everything.
Well, I'm more comfortable with him in net than with Bob or Leighton.
I don't trust rookie goalies in the playoffs, that's why I voted for Boucher 2 months ago in the playoff goalie thread. Wish I was wrong, but unfortunately I wasn't. If he had a mental breakdown, we shouldn't see him again.
I'm a complete layman when it comes to goaltending but even I can absolutely tell how ****ing awful Leighton looks in the crease. I cringe every time a shot is fired on goal.
As others have stated before Boucher sometimes plays Leighton-esque, but is able to play a few games on a high enough level so that the defense and offense in front of him should be able to win games.
Boosh's story is the same as it was in 2000. He has the talent to steal games now and then, but always lets the mental part of the game slip. He'll be good-great for a few games, then without warning he will show up and completely screw the pooch. And his ceiling isn't sustainable for enough games to make him a legit starter.
Depending on how well the team in front of him is doing, though, I think the solid games normally outnumber the bad (usually good for 3-4 good games before he drops a turd on the ice)...so yeah, he can get the job done with a great team in front of him.
And for all of his wacky ineptitudes at times, his playoff numbers are pretty good. Though I'll be the first to tell you that a goalie's stats alone aren't everything.
See, I don't agree with this. In 2000, it was definitely the case. Boosh was a headcase and when he let in a bad goal it ruined him for that game.
I think the 2011 Boosh is much, much stronger mentally. He's pissed off, not panicking, and it's clear he wants to start the damned hockey game. The same can't be said for Bob or Leighton right now.
Boosh is what he is, a journeyman goalie. I also have far more confidence in him right now than either of the other two options.
It's still a game-to-game basis. He's had chances in his career to take control of being the #1, and 11 years into his career he has yet to do it. Probably a reason for it.
Would have been nice if Bobrovsky didn't get thrown under the bus because Lavy felt bad for Leighton.
There may have been many things behind this unfortunate decision, but Lavy feeling bad for Leighton isn't one of them.
I don't see why not. He's been pretty good his entire career in the playoffs. He had a bad game this series, but one bad game doesn't mean anything. If I had a choice between Boucher and Miller, I'd take Miller, but I'm fine with Boosh.
Based upon the choices given, might as well be. I still believe we would have won the cup or at least had a better chance at winning the cup last year if he was between the pipes instead of Leighton.
Out of the three goalies we have available, he gives us the best chance to win... Boosh is not a #1, but he is far and above what Leighton can give us.
See, I don't agree with this. In 2000, it was definitely the case. Boosh was a headcase and when he let in a bad goal it ruined him for that game.
I think the 2011 Boosh is much, much stronger mentally. He's pissed off, not panicking, and it's clear he wants to start the damned hockey game. The same can't be said for Bob or Leighton right now.
Boosh is what he is, a journeyman goalie. I also have far more confidence in him right now than either of the other two options.
He is much stronger mentally, but he's not perfect.
The Boucher of today doesn't panic and implode like he used to in his early days in the league...what he does do, however, is drop his focus a lot more frequently than most goaltender. And when Boucher is not focused, he's usually not very good.
That said, he's clearly more consistent than Bob right now, and don't even get me started on Leighton. I like Boosh and give him credit for how well he's served his role to this team. He's a great backup, but not sharp enough game in and game out to ever really be more than that for long stretches.
only his tendency to let bizzare goals scares me at that point... I hope that game 5 run out his limit for this series, even his pass to unexpected Sabre in game 6 didn't end up in Flyers net
