Craig Berube Breaks Silence on Bold Playoff Goalie Strategy
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Head coach Craig Berube is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding who his starting goalie is come playoff time, a bold strategy for the first year bench boss
When Craig Berube was hired to be the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a lot of discussion surrounded how he would best utilize the lineup and the new additions that the team brought in during the offseason. There's been a lot of success but it hasn't always been perfect, and the playoffs are going to be a true test of wills.
Speaking of wills, who will Berube end up putting in net for the team? Joseph Woll has been great in the playoffs, but has struggled at points this season and might not be the answer.
Anthony Stolarz has been fantastic in his first season, but he's also dealt with injury concerns and hasn't really had a lot of playoff experience or success although he's a Stanley Cup champion.
It's not the worst problem to have as both goaltenders are very, very good at their job, but only one can start.
Craig Berube Wants One Starter, But Their Identity Remains A Mystery
So with that being said, does Craig Berube have a set idea for who he wants, or will it be a revolving door? According to the coach, don't expect a 1A/1B situation:
I never have. I've had to put goalies in, in situations, but that's something I've never done. It's always a question we'll discuss, and we'll go over at some point here. Maybe we already have. We'll see.
Leave it to the Maple Leafs bench boss to keep quiet about his strategy, and he's never one to wax poetic about things, often keeping a stoic and stiff behavior when faced with the media.
But it's a problem that Toronto has never really had to deal with before, and while Berube wants to rely on one goaltender, if that chosen starter struggles, it's not like he has a terrible replacement option either.
This season, Woll has shouldered the load a bit more due to Stolarz's injury, but has posted a solid 25-13-1 record with a 2.78 GAA and .906 SV%.
Stolarz even with the injury has still managed great numbers, with a 16-8-3 record with a 2.35 GAA and .919 SV%.
So it's not like Craig Berube is going to have a bad time when it comes to choosing who he has to start, and the play of both men over the next eight games will no doubt be a sign of who gets the call Game One.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 3 | 671 ANSWERS Craig Berube Breaks Silence on Bold Playoff Goalie Strategy Who should start Game One for the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Anthony Stolarz | 614 | 91.5 % |
| Joseph Woll | 57 | 8.5 % |
| List of polls | ||