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.”
2 suspects detained in Poland for attack on a Navalny ally in Lithuania
Wang Yi: China, Russia forging new major country relations
Members of the national political advisory board arrive in Beijing for national session
China slams U.S.' citing mutual defense treaty to back Philippine provocations in South China Sea
Spirit of the Silk Road lives on in Xi'an
GBA integration a focus of attention at CPPCC
Lottery 'loser' boyfriend, 39, who is fighting his ex
U.S. must step up efforts in strengthening China
California court to weigh in on fight over transgender ballot measure proposal language
Leaders join provincial delegations to deliberate on Government Work Report