No word on Flyers starting goalie for Game 6 yet

Philadelphia Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette had a short answer this morning when he was asked about his starting goaltender for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“I don’t comment on lineups,” Laviolette said.

Laviolette said that he’s already made up his mind who his starter will be for Game 6 Wednesday night, but that he hasn’t told the goalie yet. He was asked if he thinks more about the team or the goalie in this type of situation.

“Both,” he said. “Whatever is best for the team and whatever is going to give us the best chance to win one hockey game.”

We don’t really get Leighton. On one hand, his numbers are staggering in these playoffs and are damn near impossible to argue with. On the other hand, watch him play. His five hole is the size of the Courtney Love’s vagina, he gives up soft goals and his defense has been tremendous at blocking shots and keeping rebounds clean.

Brian Boucher may not be Patrick Roy in his prime, but he was clearly the more sound goaltender during Sunday night’s loss in Game 5. OTR likes that Boucher plays more under control than Leighton. He can make a save and stay in position (for the most part) to make another save if he has to. Leighton can make the first save, but there are serious problems if his defense doesn’t clear the rebound. One save and then he’s out of position.

To be honest, we don’t know that either of these guys are Stanley Cup goalies (they aren’t, but Trent Dilfer and Mark Rypien aren’t Super Bowl QB’s either). But it is what it is. These are the guys they have and they’ll have to try to win with them.