No practice today HCDB and players will talk at 1230

[Lt. Dish]

They may be planning a marathon session of video...which would probably help a lot more than on ice practice. Someone needs to drill this crap into the player's heads. I'm really hoping Mario and Ray pay these guys a stern visit as well.

I'm for this.

[Rocco]

Vokoun is not playing. Sid talked up Fleury. Dupuis said he's their starting goaltender. Ain't happening guys and gals, Bylsma will sink or swim with 29.

How much do you think that could be posturing for the Isles--like it could even mean anything?

That would mean Bylsma was coaching and trying mind games. He doesn't do that sort of thing. He thinks he's doing the brave thing by playing MAF when really he's being gutless and is throwing MAF out there to die. If he plays Vokoun and Vokoun struggles he'd be criticized for pulling a former Cup winner.

[JarkkoVision]

What bothers me is that the team seems like they're looking forward to vacation.

[Lt. Dish]

Vokoun is not playing. Sid talked up Fleury. Dupuis said he's their starting goaltender. Ain't happening guys and gals, Bylsma will sink or swim with 29.

How much do you think that could be posturing for the Isles--like it could even mean anything?

That would mean Bylsma was coaching and trying mind games. He doesn't do that sort of thing. He thinks he's doing the brave thing by playing MAF when really he's being gutless and is throwing MAF out there to die. If he plays Vokoun and Vokoun struggles he'd be criticized for pulling a former Cup winner.

Goes to show there aren't easy answers.

[Steve]

So why were they addressing the media? Is this something they normally do in the middle of a series?

[Henry Hank]

Would anyone really criticize him for pulling Fleury? He's been awful in the playoffs since '09. There seems to be near unanimous agreement that they should play Vokoun. If Bylsma is looking to avoid criticism, he's not going to keep Fleury in.

[SolidSnake]

VOKOUN IS IN

[murphydump55]

Vokoun in!!!!

[Henry Hank]

So why were they addressing the media? Is this something they normally do in the middle of a series?

I think there's usually media availability every day. Usually it would be after they practice but players coach gave the babies the day off.

[Myriad]

Vokoun starting as per HCDB

Edit for clarity

[slappybrown]

Vokoun is not playing. Sid talked up Fleury. Dupuis said he's their starting goaltender. Ain't happening guys and gals, Bylsma will sink or swim with 29.

Of course the players are going to say that. They're not going to bury their buddy.

Bylsma's comments last night suggested to me that Vokoun probably will start. It's just too obvious a move. We have 90+% agreement on starting Vokoun. All the talking heads in the media are calling for it. Bylsma's not that stupid. His job very likely is on the line. Essentially the only conclusion they drew from last year is that the goaltending wasn't good enough, hence the Vokoun signing. I don't think there's any way they don't go to Vokoun tomorrow.

Agree with all of this.

[Lt. Dish]

Vokoun starting as per PC

On no practice? He'll be going in cold.

[llipgh2]

Vokoun starting as per PC

Who is PC?

[Lt. Dish]

Vokoun starting as per PC

Who is PC?

Peter Chiarelli

I think it's "press conference."

[Inkio]

Vokoun starting as per PC

On no practice? He'll be going in cold.

They will practice tomorrow morning.

[llipgh2]

Vokoun starting as per PC

On no practice? He'll be going in cold.

He'll optionally skate around the rink after meeting with the media...

[Guinness]

Vokoun starting as per PC

Who is PC?

I'm guessing "Press Conference"?

[Myriad]

Good guess. Sorry, typing fast.

[DesertPenguin]

Vokoun was brought in specifically for this purpose. Flower sits until round 2, and then maybe gets the start in game 1. I don't think Vokoun can do it for us all the way to the cup, but he needs to get us out of this series.

[AlexPKeaton]

I see no reason to go back to Flower if Vokoun plays good, in fact I see no reason to ever see Fleury start again for the Pens if Vokoun plays good the rest of the way.

[skullman80]

Hopefully Vokoun is the spark this team needs to turn it around.

I was just watching the post game from last night, and Fleury just looks defeated. You can tell he is really upset with himself. Feel bad for the guy, but the change needs to be made.

[llipgh2]

I see no reason to go back to Flower if Vokoun plays good, in fact I see no reason to ever see Fleury start again for the Pens if Vokoun plays good the rest of the way.

I think you ride Vokoun until he crashes and burns (if he does). If the Pens win this series because of the contributions he makes as a goaltender, he deserves to start the next round.

But if he stumbles hard in the second round, go back to Fleury.

Now if he falls flat on his face Thursday...

[murphydump55]

Vokoun was brought in specifically for this purpose. Flower sits until round 2, and then maybe gets the start in game 1. I don't think Vokoun can do it for us all the way to the cup, but he needs to get us out of this series.

So you would bench a goaltender in the next series if he pulled us through this round on a simple feeling that you don't think he can do it all the way for us? Are you kidding me?

A goaltender might come in and save us and win the series for us, and you're going to bench him after that because you don't THINK he can go all the way? You'd rather go back to the guy that has failed you rather than stay with the guy that has helped you? You'd rather bench him BEFORE you can find out if he can go all the way?

wow.

[SpinnerSpencer]

Vokoun was brought in specifically for this purpose. Flower sits until round 2, and then maybe gets the start in game 1. I don't think Vokoun can do it for us all the way to the cup, but he needs to get us out of this series.

Consider if the series does go 7 games, that there is back to back Sat-Sun.

[Admin]

Consider if the series does go 7 games, that there is back to back Sat-Sun.

Speaking of, are they ever going to announce game times for Sat-Sun? Please tell me they aren't both afternoon games...