It’s been a rough couple of days for star goalkeeper Robin Lehner. When the Golden Knights lost against the New Jersey Devils just some days ago, Lehner got blamed for it. The Golden Knights coach, Peter DeBoer, was openly disappointed with Lehner’s effort, especially in the third period, when he let by some easy goals.
Lehner, however, started last night’s game against the Washington Capitals, but it didn’t go as planned. The Capitals struck first, with an early 1-0-goal, but Lehner saved 12 of 13 shots in the first period, as the game was tied, 1-1. But that wasn’t enough for DeBoer, and when the puck dropped for the second period, Lehner found himself on the bench.
Afterward, DeBoer defended his decision.
“It was just to try and switch some momentum and reset ourselves and get ready for the rest of the game,” he said on pulling Lehner.
The decision still had fans arguing, and many experts couldn’t believe what was going through DeBoer’s mind.
” DeBoer pulling Lehner after the first period despite making 12 saves on 13 shots is a major head-scratcher. What happened in the locker room between periods?!? What was said? That *is not* a pull any goalie expects,” says analysts Mike McKenna.
Journalist Jesse Granger, covering the Golden Knights for the Athletic, agrees.
” So DeBoer watched Lehner give up those 2 goals in the 3rd vs NJ, laid the blame at Lehner’s feet after the game, said himself Thompson is the only consistent goalie. Then he somehow decided to start Lehner. Then decided to pull Lehner for Thompson in a 1-1 game. Unbelievable,” he says.
