Luongo has a 2.29 gaa, a .922 save %, and 2 shutouts in the playoffs. Tim Thomas has a 2.42 gaa, a .926 save %, and 1 shutout. So how exactly has Luongo been shaky and Thomas solid?
First of all, Thomas also has had two shutouts this season, both against Tampa Bay, but that's not even the point. You know as well as I do that looking at the numbers alone does not tell the full story. As well as Thomas played in Game 7, Roloson outplayed him, yet Roloson took the loss while Thomas picked up a shutout victory. Conversely, Roloson was very shaky in Game 6, while Thomas was solid, yet Roloson won and Thomas lost. You cannot only look at numbers, you have to look past them at the big picture to get the entire story. Fact of the matter is, after watching a LOT of hockey this postseason, Thomas has been more solid and dependable than Luongo has, even if the numbers imply otherwise.
The Canucks after getting a 3-0 series lead against Chicago hit a rough patch but since then they have been tremendous. They finished out the Blackhawks in game 7, beat Nashville in 6, and crushed the Sharks in 5. Boston, let's not forget, went to 7 games in round 1 as well against Montreal. Then they swept Philly before going to another 7 game series against Tampa Bay. The fact remains that both teams are in the finals and that in itself makes both their post season runs impressive.
Luongo has had to be pulled three times this postseason due to shaky play, while pulling Thomas has not even been remotely considered. He's the only goalie who has not needed to be pulled this year in the playoffs.
I'm not discounting Luongo or the Canucks in general. But they were damn lucky to escape from the Hawks series. While they beat the Preds in 6, they hardly dominated them. And suggesting they "crushed" the Sharks is simply not accurate, even though it was a short series. It was a highly competitive series, more so than the numbers would indicate.
Trust me, as a Canadian hockey fan viewing this series through the eyes of the Canadian public and media, Luongo is under incredible pressure, and the only knock against him is a history of wilting under such pressure. Will that happen this series? Who knows (but I hope so
). Thomas seems more unflappable under pressure, and the Bruins as a unit seem more passionate and determined. And that will be the difference in this long and competitive series.
