You Be the Coach: The Goalie Conundrum

It’s time for you to make another big decision!

Welcome back, Peter Laviolette! Another tough coaching decision awaits your review. Right this way…

After the first two games of the series, your selected starting goaltender had a solid Game 1 and a somewhat disastrous Game 2. You and your team now return home for Game 3 with the series locked up at one win apiece, looking to maintain your newly acquired home ice advantage.

As Game 3 looms, do you let Vitek Vanecek back between the pipes to try and redeem himself… or do you reel in that short leash and give Ilya Samsonov a chance to right the ship?

Here are the facts.

In his first start of the series, Vanecek was very good, turning aside 30 of the 32 shots faced for a save percentage of .938. Unfortunately he followed that up with five goals on 19 shots, including a couple he just absolutely needed to have (the most disappointing one being a quick goal by Florida after the Caps had cut the deficit to one).

It was a stumble, to be sure, but Vanecek has been somewhat decent at bouncing back over the course of his career. He has given up four or more goals 18 times in 80 games played; in the game immediately following those rough outings, including the first game of this postseason, he is 12-4-1 (one no decision) with a save percentage of .906 and three shutouts.

That said, the Caps may not be able to afford him the time to have a stellar bounceback game (and in those games allowing 4+ goals, he has also followed up one with another on a few occasions).

Given that, perhaps it’s time for Ilya Samsonov to give it a try. After all, he was very good in relief of Vanecek last night, turning aside all 17 shots he faced in a very busy period of work. He does have a slightly better GAA at home, and more shutouts in DC as well, than Vanecek (although Vanecek has the slim edge in wins and save percentage).

So what’s your call – do you hop aboard the Samsonov-coaster again or let Vanecek get another shot at the Panthers?