DENVER (AP) — Colorado goaltender Alexandar Georgiev went home after a recent shaky outing and immediately watched film — the car-racing thriller “The Fast and the Furious.”
Anything to keep his own mind from racing.
It’s playoff time, where teams march to the beat of their goaltenders. They want them laser-focused, full of confidence and ready to save the day.
There are quite a few teams going into the postseason with big decisions in net. That includes Boston, which could split the goaltending duties, and the Avalanche, where Georgiev led the league in wins (38) but also goals against (183). Not every team has a Connor Hellebuyck, the Winnipeg goaltender who will try to shutdown the Avalanche and is a favorite to capture the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best.
“Your goalie (in the playoffs) is the most important thing, like a quarterback or a pitcher. You need them to be on top of their game,” said former NHL goaltender Michael Leighton, who now lives in Windsor, Ontario, and runs a goalie academy. “If they’re not, your team’s in trouble.”
DEAR CAROLINE: Our son and daughter
Thai plastics firm will pay $20 million to settle with U.S. over Iran sanctions violations
Stars waited late to find out they get playoff rematch against the defending Stanley Cup champions
Stars waited late to find out they get playoff rematch against the defending Stanley Cup champions
Nice scores three as lax defending against costs Lorient
Experts on Taylor Swift’s poetry in ‘The Tortured Poets Department'
Video of 2 bear cubs pulled from trees prompts North Carolina wildlife investigation but no charges
Royal Bank of Scotland to close 18 more branches with the loss of 105 jobs