Flower Power

It’s do or die tonight for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Well, okay, it’s not OFFICIALLY a win-or-go-home game as the Pens trail 2-0 in the series to the Boston Bruins. However, with the series shipping up to Boston and the Pens losing 3-0 and 6-1 in their two home games, this game means a lot more. The Pens cannot afford to drop 3-0 in the series.

Adding to the insanity for tonight is the goalie situation. Marc-Andre Fleury was replaced after game 4 of the first round series with Ottawa. Tomas Vokoun has started all nine playoff games since, going 6-3 in those games. He was pulled after giving up three first-period goals in game 2 against the Bruins. Fleury gave up three goals of his own in the 6-1 slaughtering. Now the question becomes: who should the Pens start in game 3?

It’s time to return to the Flower.

Yes, Fleury has struggled in the playoffs both last year and this year. Yes, Vokoun has a winning record right now in this playoffs and hasn’t given up more than three goals in a game this postseason. But the numbers that I see actually work AGAINST Vokoun.

36 – Vokoun’s age. He’s getting up there in age and has never made it this far into the playoffs before.

17 – The number of starts Vokoun made in the regular season this year. When the Pens put Vokoun in for the playoffs, they needed to make a realization: even if they did not lose another game the rest of the way, Vokoun would have to start 14 games. He was destined to start more games in the playoffs than he did in the entire regular season. That’s just not feasible for somebody who had the backup role all year.

4 – The number of times Vokoun made appearances within two days of each other during the season. That’s not STARTS, just appearances. The one that stands out in the six goals he gave up to Montreal on March 2nd after pitching a shutout against the Rangers just two days prior. He also gave up four goals on 13 shots on April 2nd against Buffalo, two days after shutting out the Islanders.

0 – Number of Stanley Cups Vokoun has won. Experience in the playoffs matters, and he doesn’t have much prior to this year, especially with adversity.

Now, as for why Fleury is the better choice at this point:

Blame the Defense – Of the 14 goals that Fleury gave up in games 2-4 against the Islanders, I blame Fleury for maybe one or two of them. All of the others were set up by pathetic defense play in front of him (usually Malkin). Likewise, most of Vokoun’s goals allowed have come as a result of the defense, not Vokoun’s inability. But in the last game, you could see fatigue being a factor in those quick three goals.

Bounce Back – Think back to the year the Pens won the cup and Fleury was pulled in game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Dan Bylsma knew he could trust MAF to come back and perform. He started game six and game seven, both wins, and the Pens hoisted the Cup!

Experience – He’s won it. He knows what it takes. The confidence that comes from winning the Cup before is crucial.

Youth – He’s not 36. He can take the punishment for the rest of the playoffs.

These were the reasons why back in the opening round I said maybe Vokoun is not the right LONG TERM solution. I thought Vokoun could get through the Isles easily (he had a GAA less than one against them) and likely would take charge in the second round. However, the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals are another beast altogether. Fleury can do it. The defense needs to step up, and Fleury will make the spectacular saves that we remember from Playoffs past. We have to believe in the Flower. In Fleury We Trust.

IT HAS JUST BEEN ANNOUNCED THAT VOKOUN WILL START GAME 3 FOR THE PENGUINS. HOPEFULLY HE HAS A BOUNCE BACK GAME LIKE FLEURY DID IN 2009. I DON'T AGREE WITH THE DECISION, BUT IT'S NOT MINE TO MAKE, SO I HAVE TO NOW SAY "IN VOKOUN WE TRUST."