Tampa Bay Lightning’s goalkeeper dilemma: Dwayne Roloson or Mike Smith?
There are many stories flying around that there might be some sort of a problem developing in the Tampa Bay Lightning team when it comes to their goalkeeping department.
The fourth game of the Eastern Conference Finals series saw Lightning bringing out Dwayne Roloson and giving the responsibility to Mike Smith. Smith did an excellent job, guarding the goal, and didn’t concede any goal while Lightning scored five times to
win the game 5-3.
Roloson wasn’t able to replicate the level of performances that he has displayed so far in the season in Game 4 and neither was he able to guard the goal in the first 20 minutes he was on ice, allowing three goals out of nine shots fired at him.
Roloson’s performance was nowhere near the standards he has set for himself and resulted in Mike Smith starting in the fifth game of the series. This was disappointing for Roloson but Lightning’s compromise on experience cost them the game as they allowed
three goals in the last two periods to lose the game 3-1 and again trail in the series.
"We're preparing like usual", Boucher told reporters at Monday's morning skate. "[Roloson is] preparing like he prepared for all the other games, so we're prepared".
Lightning came up with a superb performance in the fourth game that saw them winning the game after being 3-0 down. This levelled the series but Bruins was able to come out strong in the next game and successfully won to lead the series again by 3-2.
Smith wasn’t able to come up with the same performance that he displayed in the fourth game and seemed panicked. Though he came up with some decent saves during the game, Bruins strong offence saw them finding the back of the net thrice while restricting
Lightning to just 1 goal.
It was surprising to see Smith starting in Game 5 and Smith himself said that he wasn’t expecting to start the game.
"I don't expect to (start Game 5)',' Smith said after Saturday's victory.”But I'll be ready to. Roli's carried us through the playoffs this far and I don't expect anything less than for him to come back and have a great game''.
Nevertheless, after a weak performance in goal, Lightning is once again put forth with the decision to choose the best goalkeeper and this time it is expected that Roloson will be their first choice.
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