Flyers' Game 6 goalie: Coach knows, won't tell

[IE]

Flyers coach Peter Laviolette had a terse answer Monday morning when he was asked if he would stick with Michael Leighton in goal for Wednesday's Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals.

"I don't comment on lineups," Laviolette said.

Then, after a second question was asked, Laviolette said, "I'm gonna go back on that first question."

So he added the qualifier, "Unless I want to."
Laviolette later said he had made up his mind about the Game 6 starter, but had not yet told the goalie. The Flyers -- and the Blackhawks -- have Monday off.

Asked if he thinks most about the team or goaltender in as situation like this, Laviolette said, ``Both. Whatever is best for the team and whatever is going to give us the best chance to win one hockey game.''

Leighton was pulled in Game 5 after allowing three goals in the first period of the 7-4 Flyers' loss, which left them behind 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Leighton also was pulled in Game 1 after giving up five goals in 35 minutes, 18 seconds in an eventual 6-5 loss.

Brian Boucher, the starter until he was injured in the second round of the playoffs, took over for Leighton both times. Boucher had missed seven games before playing in Game 1.

--http://www.chicagotribune.com/

 

[Emersonboozer]

The only people wondering about who will be in goal for the Flyers in game 6 are the morons in the media who like to stir up controversy even when there is none.

Anyone who watched game 5 knows it wouldnt have mattered who was in net because the Flyers
played like a team who knew they still had another home game coming.

Chicago was all over them from the get go. The Blackhawks were the hungrier team and there is no way Laviolette can blame Leighton for that overall hideous team performance.

 

[IE]

Leighton to start Game 6

Michael Leighton will be the Flyers' starting goalie for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals tomorrow night at the Wachovia Center.

Although coach Peter Laviolette would not directly answer the question, his answer indicated that it would be Leighton. Leighton has a playoff-best 2.34 goals against average and the second-best save percentage (.918). Leighton is a perfect 6-0 at the Wachovia Center during the playoffs.

"Our goaltender has the best numbers in the playoffs," Laviolette said after the Flyers' 45-minute skate. "I didn't think I had to announce it."

Laviolette followed that by saying: "I don't comment on lineups or goaltenders."

Leighton was pulled for the second time in the finals at the start of the second period Sunday with the Flyers trailing 3-0 in an eventual 7-4 loss. He gave up three goals on 13 shots. Brian Boucher finished the game for the Flyers, allowing three goals on 14 shots.

Boucher's numbers aren't as solid: 2.47 goals against average, .909 save percentage.

"I'm very confident in Michael," Laviolette said. "He's played excellent in the playoffs. His home numbers are terrific. I'm very confident in Michael."

Leighton was not available to speak after Laviolette's news conference, citing the fact that Laviolette had not officially annoucned Wednesday night's starter.

It's too bad the not-surprising secret is out of the bag.