All the beat writers are all-aTwitter about Sergei Bobrovsky not having a locker stall in Buffalo. Instead, Michael Leighton does. As Brian Boucher was the first goalie off the ice at today’s morning skate, he is your starter. As Leighton has his equipment in a stall and Bobrovsky does not, he is your backup.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Peter Laviolette has decided to start Brian Boucher, but it most certainly is a surprise that Leighton is your door opener and Bobrovsky is your press box suit.
It’s difficult to see the explanation behind the move, but we’ll try.
The first thing that immediately came to mind for me when I (Ben) heard about this move was that Laviolette was taking a page out of his own 2006 playbook. After starting Martin Gerber for the first two games of Carolina’s ECQF against Montreal (and going down 0-2), Peter Laviolette made the switch to Cam Ward for Game 3. As you may or may not remember, Carolina then went on to win the Cup some weeks later. Gerber was not immediately made a scratch, but the switch in starters at this stage of the playoffs has yielded big results for Laviolette in the past.
As Ben points out, Laviolette’s previous change did not result in his former starter becoming a healthy scratch. This could be for the reasons we – specifically Travis – espoused for why Bobrovsky should be the starter: He does not have a backup mentality yet, as both Boucher and Leighton do. If your team is struggling, including your goalie, you are going to get thrown into the net in a volatile situation. The older Boucher and Leighton may have less nerves in those situations.
Not sure if I even believe this, but Coach Laviolette might. Does Bobrovsky replace Boucher in Game 2 and settle the game down as well? Does the team realize Bobrovsky has come in for Boucher and that they need to settle Bobrovsky down, thus playing better? Who knows, but this may be the thinking.
