The Maple Leafs need more out of Sergei Bobrovsky, and considering his rough start to the season, the team may need to circle back to Anthony Stolarz.
Toronto had a really unfrotuante end to their Wednesday night tilt against the Seattle Kraken. After storming back from a two-goal deficit and getting Gavin McKenna's first multi-goal game - things went terrible almost immediately after the game was tied.
With 34 seconds left in the game, Brandon Montour took a slap shot that seemed to elude Sergei Bobrovsky, and squeaked past his pads five-hole, giving the Kraken the late lead and eventual win.
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Bobrovsky only made 12 saves all night, and from your $7M goaltender that's pretty inexcusable, and it might be time to start talking about what's going on because it hasn't been pretty.
It may be time to start asking questions about Sergei Bobrovsky
Bobrovsky has only had four quality starts this season, and has had more games where he gives up more goals than expected, and has already been bailed out once this year despite expecting to lose:
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His record currently sits at 3-5-2 with a 3.29 GAA and .885 SV%. Those are not good enough especially with what Toronto is paying him, and it's more about the quality of goals he's letting in.
If he were making blistering saves left and right, only getting beaten by sheer skill then it could be forgivable. But when he's giving up goals that a 15+ year veteran typically saves, then things become a problem. For all his preparation and routine, something seems to be off in his game.
Hope Bob turns it around or bring in Stolarz?
There is an argument that Bobrovsky is still the starter and giving him a shot to bounce back against Vancouver is the perfect chance. But they are also a team who has no issues scoring, and if he can't make a save - Toronto could be in trouble.
Right now, as important as it is to get Bobrovsky back on track, the team also needs to start winning and after such a great stretch have suddenly put in two poor performances (one from the team, one from Bobrovsky).
That means putting Anthony Stolarz between the pipes, and while he hasn't been perfect he's at least been reliable. He has a 4-1-0 record with a 2.79 GAA and .907 SV% which is far and away much better than Bobrovsky this year.
It'll be up to Jim Hiller to decide what's best for his team, and the investment in Bobrovsky may lead him to start on Saturday once again. But if the Maple Leafs come away with another loss, then he'll have no choice but to make the switch.
Who should start Toronto's next game against Vancouver?
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