Lippsman's Blog

Guy Boucher is a fool if he doesn't start Smith for game 7

By Lippsman | View all Posts
Posted Thursday, May 26, 2011 10:54 AM   41 comments

Roloson has allowed 15 goals in his last 176 minutes played for a whopping 5.11 GAA, with a .843 SV% 

Now it makes great soundbytes when you say we are going with the guy that got us there.  A 41 year old goaltender that got you there in the regular season, but is breaking down in the post season.

Mike Smith on the other hand has allowed  2 goals in the series with Boston. 120 minutes over 3 games played for a very small GAA of 1.00 and an incredible .958 SV%

Doesn't take a huge thought process here.

Does Boucher want to be loyal or the best chance for TB to return to the Cup Finals.

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Polar_Bear says:
05/26/11 11:04AM

I agree 100%. However I do think Roloson starts though. He won't be able to ignore the 7-0 record in elimination games. I just think he will keep him on a very short list. Let's face it, coming back against Boston has not been a daunting task for Tampa or anyone else lately (last couple years) and that may give Boucher a false sense of security when making his decision

Polar_Bear says:
05/26/11 11:05AM
short leash*
mrweed13 says:
05/26/11 11:28AM
I agree Lippsman. If last night doesn't turn into a special teams battle you had to like Boston's chances. They owned TB 5-on-5, and while they only got about 20 shots, it seemed they finished every quality chance. As a Bruins fan, I'm afraid of seeing Smith at this point.  
ICEman83 says:
05/26/11 11:41AM

I hope they keep Rolly in. Looking at the over again.........

amd says:
05/26/11 01:12PM
There's no question that Roloson starts this game. Throw the numbers away, it's all about chemistry in this one.
burley says:
05/26/11 01:47PM
it has to be rolo. how many cups have been won with goaltending by committee?
a change this late in the playoffs is doomsday
amd says:
05/26/11 01:50PM

Wait....don't throw the numbers away. Roloson is 7-0 in Game 7's. Thanks polarbear.

amd says:
05/26/11 01:58PM
......and lastly, Steve Yzerman has one of the greatest hockey minds in hockey. Behind closed doors, he will be making the decision on who to start.
wiggins says:
05/26/11 02:21PM

u cant pull rollie after a win. he's gotta ride that 8-0 record, although i think the leash might be short with him...u need some balls to go with smith, who in a small sample size has done well, over a guy like rollie who brought you here.

boucher doesn't give a fuck about what anyone thinks anyways so maybe he will make the switch

when was the last time a coach made a goalie change after a win this deep into the playoffs?

LeRinkRat says:
05/26/11 02:48PM

Rollie recent numbers BAD BUT Lightning win numbers GOOD with him in goal. tough decision. agree with the "start him BUT he's on a short leash" comments. Rollie DID shut out my Penguins in a game seven @ Pittsburgh first round.

"Der Schmied" was definately good enough to WIN game 5 @ Boston BUT got no "goal support"

kevinkim says:
05/26/11 03:00PM
roloson is now 8-0 in elimination games BUT not 7-0 in game 7
not lot of goaltenders played that many game 7 and winning them all.
i think roloson is 2-0 in game 7
Lippsman says:
05/26/11 03:02PM

I will take that chemistry of a GAA of 1.00 anyday.

Don't count on Timmy giving up 5 goals again.

amd says:
05/26/11 03:03PM
Wiggs...I respect your thoughts but a "short leash" isn't going to happen in a game 7. Imagine what your psyche would be like if you were playing and your goaltender was being pulled in a game of this magnitude. Tampa can win a 5-4 game so you go with what your entire team feels comfortable with and I guarantee they are more comfortable with Roloson. They are also more comfortable in knowing how he plays regarding puck control...stoppages of play....play calling....verbal communication which are little intangibles that the non-hockey, casual bettin' son of a bitch  doesn't understand.
amd says:
05/26/11 03:04PM

Understood

Polar_Bear says:
05/26/11 03:05PM
Correct kevin. I meant to type elimination games as is in my other post about game 7...Pardon the typos and good lookin out...
amd says:
05/26/11 03:07PM

Well, I can't blame you for liking the GAA 1.00. 

  It should be an entertaining game 7, I'm looking forward to this game.

Polar_Bear says:
05/26/11 03:10PM
I would agree except Boucher was quick to pull him in game 4 and if he had not the Bolts would have been down 3-1 heading back to Boston and we would probably not be discussing this game. The two times they made the switch ingame to Smith Tampa outscored Boston 7-0 which won a game and almost led them back to win another that seemed over. Seeing them respond like that and not miss a beat I don't think he will hesitate pulling a very old goalie that has looked burnt out this series to a goalie that has played much better, who handles the puck better and who they guys seem to play just as hard in front of...
amd says:
05/26/11 03:15PM

Good point, pb.

Fuck, I hope I don't have to see the Bolts make any in-game changes tomorrow night.. .

LeRinkRat says:
05/26/11 05:02PM
any info on Sean Bergenheim status?
Lippsman says:
05/26/11 05:33PM

Nothing decided yet, but it does not look like he will play right now.

ESCAPE_ says:
05/26/11 05:54PM
Who cares about  Roloson's numbers in game 7's an  elimination games.  Have you  watched him this series?  He has play awful getting beat  on routine shots. He looks  old an slow. Mike Smith can't do a worse job I can tell you that.  Smith has  lookered  sharp.  Those numbers for Roloson mean  nothing tomorrow. You think all of a sudden  hes going to be great based on numbers. They won in spite  of  him yesterday. Start Mike Smith hes an upgrade,  clearly.
Jab38 says:
05/26/11 06:14PM
Boston
Retburj13 says:
05/27/11 01:52PM
Bergie was on the ice and was expected to play according to reports

Lou...for my B's sake...I want Rolie Polie Goalie in there as I expect Timmay to really bear down and be the goalie he was in game 3


and if B's don't pull it out..Claude is gonna get smashed for being such a stubborn peckerwood and not changing up the PP lines/combos and play Seguin more and dumpin Recchi...its obvious the speed will help and stop being so damn predictable.
wiggins says:
05/27/11 02:09PM

Seguin might not even play...

NHLBruins Boston Bruins
Shane Hnidy, Tyler Seguin and Steve Kampfer are the first on for Boston...

 

err says:
05/27/11 02:27PM
Quick question... isn't easier to post good numbers when you are the goalie entered in a losing cause? With the winning team maybe easing the gas pedal... Im just asking, I have not watch all of the series but it looks like Smith #'s are based on some late plays.
wiggins says:
05/27/11 02:36PM

Ya no doubt, but Roloson isn't even making the routine saves. He's let in a number of stinkers. He almost cost them the series in Game 4 giving up those 3 goals in the first, maybe only 1 of which was a good scoring chance. It's not like Smith has been amazing, its more of how bad Roloson has been. 

claude_gir0ux says:
05/27/11 02:51PM

rolo 7-0 in close out games.

right choice.

guy b0ucher

Lippsman says:
05/27/11 02:57PM

Smith hasns't been amazing ? 

The numbers he posted has no doubt been amazing. A GAA of 1.00 and off the charts SA% of a .958 in this series.

What else do you want.

Lippsman says:
05/27/11 03:04PM

Wrong, it's much harder coming into a game cold. His numbers are based on starting and coming into games early.

claude_gir0ux says:
05/27/11 03:07PM
i think both goalies are good options. its all about if the bolts offense can get to thomas imo.
Bluefin says:
05/27/11 04:22PM
B's get it done tonight regardless of who's in the cage
wiggins says:
05/27/11 03:54PM
Thomas made the guarantee, he better come up big like in Game 5.
wiggins says:
05/27/11 03:19PM

He's made maybe 6 big saves 6 periods of work. In Game 2, he was never tested. Game 4, he made 3 big saves with the late one on Horton being his best. His lone start he faced what 16 shots? You want to say he is amazing cuz of his stats go right ahead.

wiggins says:
05/27/11 03:43PM

Smith is a backup, he needs to be good off the bench. Just look at Boucher. It was like night and day when he came off then bench and when he started. Nittymaki was rock solid in the LA series.

Anyways, are you making a prediction that Smith comes off the bench? Or do you mean Thomas and Roloson?

wiggins says:
05/28/11 12:12AM
lol devils is obviously being sarcastic
Lippsman says:
05/27/11 03:45PM

Rolly and TT

Lippsman says:
05/27/11 03:38PM

He has been amazing so far this series. Considering he had to come off the bench makes it even better.

There, I said it.

 Now we will see exactly what both goaltenders are made of tonight.

Lippsman says:
05/27/11 04:20PM

The goast of Joe Namath will try to rise again.

canadianice says:
05/28/11 12:14AM
    Duh, i realize that,
canadianice says:
05/28/11 12:09AM
Are you Fukkin kidding me, so let me get this tight---If Smith had started, he would have saved that shot, Give me a fucking break, Roloson was the right move!!!  Case Closed  
Polar_Bear says:
05/27/11 04:38PM
The other way to view is that coming inot a game with your team down 3 goals they have to commit to offence and open up their game leaving the goalie more vulnerable to odd man rushes and better scoring chances. Just depends on the game itself.
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User: Lippsman
Joined: February 2001
Location: Zimbabwe
Team: Boston Bruins
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