from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,
While this can’t be 100% attributed to the goalie switch, Reimer’s early saves certainly bolstered a Red Wings team that ultimately would gain a lead for the first time in 280 minutes and 34 seconds of hockey.
Reimer is 4-1 through his past five starts. However, he’s not been in the net for back-to-back starts since Dec. 20-22.
Depsite his solid showing Saturday, Lalonde still wasn’t ready to commit to a Reimer start on Sunday.
“Obviously the instinct will be to go back to him after a win,” Lalonde acknowledged. “But he is 35 and not many goalies in this league go back to back.
“So I’ll probably have a better feel after I consult with our goalie coach and kinda go from there.”
Actually, Reimer turned 36 on Friday, but that’s also immaterial. Considering what’s on the line, consultation shouldn’t be necessary.
The only correct answer is to start Reimer on Sunday.
Below, extended post game interviews...
from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,
When Fischer started the rally, the Wings were trailing 1-0 in the second period. He skated from behind the net, essentially tripped over himself, and whacked a backhander past goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
"I meant to do that for sure," Fischer said of his wizardry on skates. "Just a bad skater. I don't think he (Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin) even tripped me."
But it was exactly the type of goal the Wings needed, and expected out of the Michael Rasmussen-Andrew Copp-Fischer line which played a big role against Buffalo.
The line was given the assignment of matching up against Buffalo's scoring line centered by Tage Thompson, and accepted the challenge with no goals against, while scoring itself on Fischer's goal.
"Newsy (coach Derek Lalonde) told us before the game we were going to match up the whole night with them," Fischer said. "We play a north-south type of hockey game, and we love that stuff. We want the big match-up every night because it's the way we are as players, we want to shut down the top guys.
"We're on top of the guys, all three work our butts off and we're always on the right side of the puck. We take a lot of pride in we don't like getting scored on. It shows when we're together, we've had some good games this year."
Lalonde felt the Copp's line energy and performance energized the entire Wings lineup.
"That bleeds through the whole team," Lalonde said. "(We felt) it would help the match-ups throughout the lineup and they embraced it and won the match-up. I really thought it was a big part of our success."
more ($)
Extended highlights.
You have to start him.
But he is 35 and not many goalies in this league go back to back
That is a pretty bold statement. Also foolish. Every team rides the hot hand... Including this one with Lyon all year.
They are going to need to play whomever gives them a chance. Lyon was playing beyond his true skill level and it wasn't sustainable. Going with Reimer for a second straight game isn't going to do any damage whatsoever.
^^^This. Exactly.
Completely OT but what a fantastic day for hockey in/for Michigan. Wings win, Spartans win, UM wins and PWHL draws 14,000 at JLA. What a great day.
Hell yeah.
Trey Augustine looking very good for Sparty. He and Cossa give us two strong, albeit very young, goaltending prospects.
Start Reimer.
Of course he should start, but he he won't because it makes sense.😛
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