Lightning show major disrespect to Martin St-Louis and the Canadiens
Hours before the match between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning, a decision was made regarding the starting goaltender for the visitors at the Bell Centre, and it's quite a surprising one.
One might even wonder if it's a lack of respect on their part towards Martin St-Louis's team.
As the Lightning plays a second game in as many nights, it will ultimately be Matt Tomkins, the goaltender currently with the team on an emergency basis, who will face the Canadiens.
« It seems that Matt Tomkins will start and be in the net tomorrow in Montreal for a second game in two nights. I asked Coach Jon Cooper about Jonas Johansson's availability for tomorrow's game and he replied that he was out. Tomkins won his first NHL victory at the Bell Centre on November 7. » - Eduardo A. Encina, Tampa Bay journalist
This means that head coach Jon Cooper will not use his star goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy nor his number two goalie, Jonas Johansson.
At 29 years old, Tomkins has played only three career games in the NHL, having spent the majority of his career in the AHL and the ECHL. He is a goaltender labeled as minor league.
In his three starts, he has a record of 1-2-0, a goals-against average of 3.40, and a save percentage of .889. Notably, his only win in the NHL was against the Canadiens last November 7.
There's almost no doubt that the Lightning is taking the Canadiens lightly, because if this game had any significance for the club, it's certain that Vasilevskiy would not have given up his spot for an emergency call-up goalie.
It will be interesting to see if the Canadiens can respond to this questionable decision tonight.
Recall that on the CH's side, Martin St-Louis will trust Cayden Primeau for this game, who has been on fire since Jake Allen's departure.
| POLL |
4 AVRIL | 142 ANSWERS Lightning show major disrespect to Martin St-Louis and the Canadiens Who will win tonight? |
| Canadiens | 74 | 52.1 % |
| Lightning | 68 | 47.9 % |
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