The Pittsburgh Penguins are at a bit of a loss. They entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference's top seed, holding on to the second best record in the NHL for 2013. It was assumed they would make quick work of the New York Islanders, either sweeping or winning in at least five games. However, the Penguins find them in a bit of an odd position, tied. After the Islanders defeated the team 6-4 on Tuesday, the opening series now becomes a best-of-three with changes coming in the lineup.
While the Penguins are not hitting the panic button just yet, they are making a few adjustments going into Game 5. The first will be the benching of Marc-Andre Fleury. Tomas Vokoun will get the start in the net as Fluery's postseason struggles have finally reached a breaking point. Head coach Dan Bylsma announced the decision on Wednesday.
Fleury has allowed several questionable goals in the first four games of the season including the tiebreaking shot in Tuesday's game that led to the Islanders eventual win. The goalie is developing a reputation of not performing well in the postseason. Last season during the opening round against the Philadelphia Flyers, Fleury allowed 26 goals with a .834 save percentage. In his four starts against the Islanders, he has allowed 14 goals. The Penguins have seen enough.
Vokoun was originally acquired for this exact situation. While Fleury is not the only one on the team struggling in recent games, he has received most of the blame for obvious reasons. Pittsburgh is taking the attitude of "cup or bust" and have held on to several backup players incase starters begin to struggle. Vokoun is just the first to make an appearance.
"We brought Tomas Vokoun in to play big games for us and be a goaltender we could count on to go in and play big games. He's done that this year for us and he has been very good against the Islanders. We're getting a guy who's real capable at going in and has been a great goalie for us," Bylsma said.
Vokoun is a 14-year veteran and recorded a 2.45 goals-against average this season, going 13-4. Game 5 will mark the first time since 2011 the Penguins have started a playoff game without Fleury in the net.