Bylsma refuses to name Game 5 starter - NHL.com

Uniondale, N.Y. – Following a 6-4 Game 4 loss to the New York Islanders in wooden goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury allowed six goals on 24 shots, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma refused to name either Fleury or backup goaltender Tomas Vokoun as the start of Game 5 on Thursday night in Pittsburgh.

“One of the reasons we brought in Tomas Vokoun was to play hockey games and win hockey games for us,” Bylsma said after New York evened the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarter Final at two games apiece. “Marc-Andre Fleury is our starting goaltender and started this series and won us some games and made some saves for us. But we’re not going to talk about our starting goaltender for Game 5 right now.”

“I think the one at the end of the second, it was not a good goal and one huh [Fleury] was a little bit out of position on and they got a good bounce,” Bylsma said. “It ties the game up there. That one hurt. We would have gone into the third with a 3-2 lead.”

With the Islanders leading 5-4 late in the third period, Fleury let in another questionable goal. Casey ?ížik rushed down the wing and took a soft backhand that Appeared to be going wide before it went off Fleury’s blocker and into the net.

Shortly after the game-clinching goal, and with the Pittsburgh netminder pulled for an extra attacker, a despondent Fleury Appeared two cover his face with his catching glove.

“I’m not happy, that’s for sure. It’s frustrating, but I’ve got to forget about it,” Fleury said. “At the end, it was a lot of goals that go in.”

Fleury’s misplay on Okposo’s game-tying goal turned the momentum in Game 4

“When we got the lead, we got it twice and could not keep it with unfortunate goals and goals that got behind Marc. It’s the story of that game,” Bylsma said. “We’ve had plenty of goals. It’sa more minimizing the opportunities for the other side and not letting it be an up-and-down game. That type of game thatgives them Chances to get back in, Whether it’s how they mana the puck or a timely save. “

Since shutting out the Islanders 5-0 in Game 1, Fleury has allowed 14 goals in three games posting a .863 save PERCENTAGE of. It’s reminiscent of Fleury’s play in last year’s opening-round loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. In that six-game series, Fleury allowed 26 goals with a save PERCENTAGE of .834.

Vokoun has Appeared in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games in his 14-year NHL career, posting a 3-8 record and .922 save PERCENTAGE. Despite that lack of experience, Bylsma would not shy away from the notion of giving Vokoun a look in Game 5

“Tomas Vokoun is a guy that can step in and play and has had success and won hockey games against this team,” Bylsma said. “We’re going to regroup and come back and come out for Game 5″

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