Commentary: Leighton Starting Is Right Move For Flyers
Watching the Flyers’ debacle in Vancouver on Tuesday night I could see it coming. Brian Boucher got shelled with 28 shots before mercifully being pulled. Sergei Bobrovsky then faced 21 shots in relief.
The logical conclusion? Michael Leighton starting Thursday night in Los Angeles against the Kings. That’s exactly what’s going to happen, coach Peter Laviolette confirmed to reporters Thursday morning in California.
And, in my opinion, it’s the right move.
It’s not that I believe Michael Leighton is the best goalie of this trio (the last time he was in a Flyers uniform in a game provided a moment most fans would like to erase from their memories). But it’s the right time, right place to get the finally healthy Leighton some game action.
Consider first that both Boucher and Bobrovsky got full workloads on Tuesday night in the 6-2 loss to the Canucks. One of them certainly could come back after a day’s rest, but Leighton has to get into a game eventually, right?
That’s why it’s now. General manager Paul Holmgren said weeks ago he was comfortable going with a three-goalie setup for the time being … but that only has merits if all three guys are actually going to play. The situation will eventually resolve itself with an injury, a trade or a waiver move, but Leighton at least deserves a chance to prove himself.
“I have no clue what’s going on,” Leighton said last week after the Flyers Skills Competition. “Right now I’m just working hard in practice and try and work my way back in there.”
Finally, he’s back in there. At least for Thursday night. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess.
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