Those of you who are regular watchers of the podcast know that I have a big issue with teams who consider themselves contenders skimping on their backups.
I used to go at the Preds all the time for not going out and getting a veteran backup and this year I have been all over the Maple Leafs. Of course they aren't the only team with a Cup shot that could essentially see their season shot by an injury to their starter...Or by a starting goalie suddenly going cold.
It always baffles me that a team will spend 2-3 million on a 4th liner or a 6/7 defender but won't go out and get a quality backup when they have Cup hopes. The fact that Toronto wouldn't part with a second or third round pick for Jimmy Howard is ridiculous. Teams would rather risk wasting an entire year than risk losing a single prospect who may or may not pan out.
History has my back here too...Look at the Penguins Cup Runs...it took both Fleury and Murray. Last year the Caps might not see the playoffs without Grubauer....this year what Kempe has done in Arizona and both goalie combos for the Canes and Islanders are the only reason they are in the playoffs...Even in Tampa, the backup has proven to be more than good when called upon...
There are plenty of backups out there with playoff experience which could have been had at the deadline. Cam Talbot cost the Flyers very little...how would he have looked in Toronto?
I just think in today's NHL you not only need to get wins from your second goalie, but you need a goalie who can really step in and not fall apart in the playoffs.
Am I wrong?
New Updated Projected Standings (AKA "Hockey Spoilers")
Just a devastating loss by the Oilers at home to NJ. If you took away the one 12 game stretch the Oilers had midseason where they couldn't get a point this team would be a playoff team...Instead they have left no room for error....and last night just kills them.
Ten enormous games this evening. Our picks will post this afternoon...
Tonight's Picks...
Last Night we went 1-2 with winners...
Season Stats
32 Correctly Picked Winners
18 Wrong
Nights with .500 or better records: 5
Nights with more wrong than right: 2
Tonight's Projected Points
ARZ 1 ANA 2
BUF 1 PIT 2
DET 0 TB 2
LAK 1 NSH 2 MIN 2 DAL 1
NYI 1 MTL 2
OTT 0 STL 2 PHI 2 WSH 1 SJ 2 FLA 1
WPG 1 BOS 2
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