***OFFICIAL*** Stanley Cup Playoff (12) Blackhawks vs. (1) Golden Knights thread

[Granada]

I imagine the reason they alternated was because it was the round robin, the games weren't as meaningful, and it was a valueable way to prep both goalies after the long layoff as well as try to see who came back the sharpest. If it was close you still go with Lehner. It's what you got him for.

Right, but Lehner is clearly the starter for this series. The team has been playing great in front of him, even in the loss, and he's only given up one bad goal. I get why they went with Fleury for one game in the round robin and the back-to-back game, but if Deboer goes to him for Game 5, all that does is show his team that he's panicking when he really doesn't have to be, considering they're still up 3-1 and his team is still playing fantastic hockey overall. So why make such a drastic change? Because of one soft goal? That just doesn't make sense. Like I said, I hope it happens, because it would benefit the Hawks more so than the Knights.

If Lehner completely sucks in Game 5 and/or the Knights come out completely flat, then it would make sense for DeBoer to go with Fleury for Game 6. But going with Fleury for Game 5 -- when he honestly doesn't have to -- would be a disaster because, what if Fleury shits the bed? Then you go back to Lehner for Game 6? That's amateur, and he would have already messed with Lehner's head by benching him for Game 5.

If I'm Deboer, I stick with Lehner until I absolutely have to put in Fleury.

 

[anotheridiot]

You have all the answers, but are not taking into account that Fleury is the Vegas goalie that led them to the #1 spot in the west. Apparently you dont think the team actually played harder in front of Fleury because Fleury is not a dick. My guess is if you ask the players who their goalie is, majority would say the guy who won three cups. They had no backup, they did not plan to make Fleury the backup.

They were not the 1 seed in the west because Lehnar played 3 games for them.

We will see, you just seem pretty amped to see Vegas and Lehner eliminate the hawks tonight.

 

[Jack Lantern]

Vegas will probably go with Lehner to close it out cause he's going against his ex team.

Lehner could have signed with anyone as a free agent. The fact a Vezina finalist was willing to sign just a 1 year deal to come to a team that is clearly in rebuild mode has to be commended. Am sure he was butt hurt when the team traded him and would love nothing more then to be on the ice to end the Hawks season and the Vegas coach will give him every opportunity to do so.

 

[Granada]

You have all the answers, but are not taking into account that Fleury is the Vegas goalie that led them to the #1 spot in the west. Apparently you dont think the team actually played harder in front of Fleury because Fleury is not a dick. My guess is if you ask the players who their goalie is, majority would say the guy who won three cups. They had no backup, they did not plan to make Fleury the backup.

They were not the 1 seed in the west because Lehnar played 3 games for them.

We will see, you just seem pretty amped to see Vegas and Lehner eliminate the hawks tonight.

Buddy, this isn't rocket science. They got Lehner at the deadline because they were weary of Fleury.

Lehner has played 5 of the 7 playoff games since the post-season started. He was undefeated since arriving in Vegas until Game 4.

"Apparently you dont think the team actually played harder in front of Fleury because Fleury is not a dick." This sentence makes no sense, so I can't even respond to it.

Listen, anything's possible, but like I said, if Deboer goes with Fleury tonight, he is an idiot in my opinion. I hope it happens, I really do.

 

[LordKOTL]

Buddy, this isn't rocket science. They got Lehner at the deadline because they were weary of Fleury.

Lehner has played 5 of the 7 playoff games since the post-season started. He was undefeated since arriving in Vegas until Game 4.

"Apparently you dont think the team actually played harder in front of Fleury because Fleury is not a dick." This sentence makes no sense, so I can't even respond to it.

Listen, anything's possible, but like I said, if Deboer goes with Fleury tonight, he is an idiot in my opinion. I hope it happens, I really do.

I would agree:

Reg season overall: Lehner matches Crawford with .918. MAF is .913 (posted regular season for long term number normalization). Playoffs overall Lehner is .925 to Crawford's .918 to MaF's .911.

The only "knock" is that Lehner's playoff numbers are a much smaller sample: 15 games compared to 95 and 144 respectively (301 to 488 to 826, respectively in the regular season). All that says is that Lehner's numbers are more apt to fluctuation because of a smaller data set.

What this tells me is that, like what a lot of 'hawks fans wrongfully think about Crawford, Fleury is a goalie that has overall success/failure based on the team around him. He's average to subaverage. Crawford is above average in all respects (for comparison). Lehner is above average to excellent.

Thus I agree: DeBoer is up 3:1 and has home ice this game, this is not crunch-time. I'd give Lehner the game and revisit if the 'hawks win tonight.

 

[hawkinmontreal]

Hawks win 6-2 tonight, floodgates open ?

 

[LordKOTL]

Hawks win 6-2 tonight, floodgates open ?

I'd love to see it. Kane and Toews light up Lehner with like he was Luongo (#GoaliesWhoShitTheirPants)

 

[Jack Lantern]

I'd love to see it. Kane and Toews light up Lehner with like he was Luongo (#GoaliesWhoShitTheirPants)

They were also 10 years younger and had guys like Big Buff and Ladd opening the ice up for them with their physical play. In addition were it not for Bickell that one year when he scored what? 10 goals in the playoff run leading up to beating the Bruins for the cup, no chance Hawks win that year cause Bickell was a force.

I noticed JC tried same when he had Drake Caggiula a couple times on Kaner's line but at 5'10, 185 pounds, he's limited with that package, lol

 

[hawkinmontreal]

I'd love to see it. Kane and Toews light up Lehner with like he was Luongo (#GoaliesWhoShitTheirPants)

We can hope Lord, you never know with these 2, it would be great to see.

 

[TL1961]

Thanks Einstein.

My comment was based on the regular season splits,
Lehner started 2-28 3-3 and 3-8
Fleury started 2-26 3-1 3-6 and 3-9

Last I checked that was every other game. Playoffs change things,

Fleury started 8-6 and 8-15
Lenher started 8-3 and 8-8, so up to the Chicago series it was an even split.

That was all my comment was based on, the only one who is never wrong is Granada.

You don't have to be a smart ass to me for pointing out they did not alternate in response to your post saying they alternated.

 

[Jack Lantern]

Another late game for the Blackhawks. The NHL must be getting good viewership numbers in the Chicago market with all the late prime time games they find themselves in.

 

[LordKOTL]

Tazer...That's how it's done! Greasy as Luongo's hair!

 

[zack54attack]

Feels like Vegas has dominated the entire period too..

 

[LordKOTL]

Whoa! Epic save there!

 

[zack54attack]

Bam! 2-0!

 

[LordKOTL]

That was a beautiful sequence! Well done Strome & El Gato!

 

[zack54attack]

And crap.

 

[LordKOTL]

...and Keith caught cheating. Crapola.

 

[TL1961]

Seems like so often we give up a goal in the final minute. And to give one up so quickly after taking a two goal lead. Again.

But, it's a lead, and we can play a lot better.

 

[Mizzel]

Just such a bs bounce