The Penguins have stuck to the same goaltending plan almost all season with the four different goaltenders to suit up in a game for them this year -- going back and forth between the two on the roster.
They've seldom deviated from the plan, although it has happened a handful of times, most recently giving Stuart Skinner back-to-back starts against the Senators and Stars over the last week, something Skinner said at the time was a "nice surprise."
A goaltender isn't going to complain about getting more playing time, they're happy to have it. But at the same time, Skinner doesn't have an issue with the setup, as he explained after stopping 22 of 23 shots in the Penguins' 5-1 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday.
"Just speaking for myself, obviously, there's been a lot of hockey played," Skinner said. "So obviously, the rest in between games for (Arturs Silovs) and for myself, it's nice for the body, especially the condensed schedule. I mean, our March has been pretty wild, so I think that's a benefit. Is just keeping us mentally both in it. There's a benefit to playing multiple games as well, just in feeling the touches and getting in that momentum. But you know, there's a time and a place for it, and it's been a very busy schedule."
This is a unique season -- the schedule is condensed because of the Olympic break that was squeezed in, and the Penguins' schedule is even a little more condensed by the time off surrounding the Sweden trip. This stretch is especially tough, with games almost every other day through the end of the season. If the Penguins continue to split those starts, the time off between each start for Skinner and Silovs probably wouldn't be too different from the rest a traditional "starter" would have between games in a normal, non-condensed season. There's been a lot of talk about whether the Penguins need to pick one goaltender to get them in a "rhythm," but they're already in a rhythm, and it's probably one of the more consistent rhythms in the league. It wouldn't be the worst idea to stick with it.
THE ASYLUM
Skinner OK with rotation
The Penguins have stuck to the same goaltending plan almost all season with the four different goaltenders to suit up in a game for them this year -- going back and forth between the two on the roster.
They've seldom deviated from the plan, although it has happened a handful of times, most recently giving Stuart Skinner back-to-back starts against the Senators and Stars over the last week, something Skinner said at the time was a "nice surprise."
A goaltender isn't going to complain about getting more playing time, they're happy to have it. But at the same time, Skinner doesn't have an issue with the setup, as he explained after stopping 22 of 23 shots in the Penguins' 5-1 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday.
"Just speaking for myself, obviously, there's been a lot of hockey played," Skinner said. "So obviously, the rest in between games for (Arturs Silovs) and for myself, it's nice for the body, especially the condensed schedule. I mean, our March has been pretty wild, so I think that's a benefit. Is just keeping us mentally both in it. There's a benefit to playing multiple games as well, just in feeling the touches and getting in that momentum. But you know, there's a time and a place for it, and it's been a very busy schedule."
This is a unique season -- the schedule is condensed because of the Olympic break that was squeezed in, and the Penguins' schedule is even a little more condensed by the time off surrounding the Sweden trip. This stretch is especially tough, with games almost every other day through the end of the season. If the Penguins continue to split those starts, the time off between each start for Skinner and Silovs probably wouldn't be too different from the rest a traditional "starter" would have between games in a normal, non-condensed season. There's been a lot of talk about whether the Penguins need to pick one goaltender to get them in a "rhythm," but they're already in a rhythm, and it's probably one of the more consistent rhythms in the league. It wouldn't be the worst idea to stick with it.
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