Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tomas Vokoun confirmed that he will start Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
Following a shutout loss in Game 1, head coach Dan Bylsma was questioned about whether he was considering a potential change in goal. That line of questioning remained after a blowout in Game 2. Vokoun allowed three goals in the first period of that contest, which resulted in Marc-Andre Fleury returning to action. Fleury failed to adequately display he was ready to back the team to victory, as he too allowed three goals.
Vokoun replaced Fleury after three consecutive shaky games in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the New York Islanders. Prior to this series against Boston, Vokoun had been a stabilizing presence in the Pittsburgh goal. Despite speculation to the contrary, Bylsma's leash on Vokoun is a bit longer than expected. Whether that has been altered by Fleury's play remains to be seen.
However, the real issue for the Penguins isn't necessarily who appears in goal. At least, not in terms of their goal. Pittsburgh has managed only one goal against Tuukka Rask and the Bruins. Considering the amount of talent on the Penguins' roster, that should not be the case.
Boston has the opportunity to take a commanding 3-0 series lead at TD Garden on Wednesday night.
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