Ahead of game number one against the Checkers, Pascal Vincent unveiled his goalie at the last minute.
To everyone’s surprise, Cayden Primeau started the game. Surprise, because Jacob Fowler had been practicing in front of the starter’s net in the morning.
And today, Vincent was slow to unveil his goalie. And according to Renaud Lavoie, it’s not necessarily smart of him to delay his decision. According to the journalist, it’s a sign that he doesn’t have confidence in his club.
The aim of this strategy is to deceive the opponent.
But is this really the case? Whether it’s Jacob Fowler or Cayden Primeau, does it really change the opponents’ strategy drastically? I don’t think so. Otherwise, everyone would unveil their starting goaltender minutes before the game…
Panthers coach Paul Maurice wasn’t afraid to announce in the morning that Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer and Niko Mikkola would play game five against the Hurricanes.
The Rocket coach is very evasive when asked about his starting goaltender. He has already said he would send Ken Dryden. Renaud Lavoie believes his focus is “on deceiving the media and the opposing team”.
You’re in the wrong place. – Renaud Lavoie
Not revealing your starting pitcher in baseball (although the identity of the starter is rarely unknown minutes/hours before the game) or your quarterback in football, I can understand.
But in hockey, I don’t think it makes too much difference… Especially when both your goalies end up playing in the game.
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