Roloson has started every playoff game for Tampa Bay this spring, and was the first goalie off the ice at the Lightning’s optional morning skate, traditionally the indication of who will start that night.
Lightning coach Guy Boucher has also stated he would be sticking with Roloson, albeit in a vague enough manner to leave some doubt about his actual intentions.
And there is certainly plenty of reason to wonder if the clock has finally struck midnight on this Cinderella story. Roloson, the 41-year-old netminder out of UMass-Lowell, came into the series leading the NHL in playoff goals-against average at 2.01 and save percentage at .941.
But in the first four games against Boston, he’s been pulled twice and put up a 4.43 GAA and an .862 save percentage, allowing 13 goals on 94 shots.
Backup Mike Smith, meanwhile, has stopped all 29 shots he’s faced in a pair of relief appearances, including 21 saves Saturday when he stopped the bleeding and allowed Tampa to engineer a comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the opening period for a 5-3 win to even the series at two games apiece.
It would be completely understandable if Boucher turned to Smith to start this one, but he appears to be sticking with Roloson.
“We’re preparing like usual,” Boucher said. “[Roloson]’s preparing like he prepared for all the other games. So we’re prepared.”
But when pressed on why he wouldn’t come out and definitely say Roloson was starting, Boucher remained vague.
“He’s prepared,” Boucher said. “He got out. He’s done his morning skate like usual. He prepared yesterday. We had a good talk. And he knows what’s coming up.”
Roloson also wouldn’t commit to what exactly is coming up for him – another start to relegation to a backup role.
“I prepared like I’m playing like always,” Roloson said. “That’s the game. The game within the game.”
It appears the Lightning might be trying to play some mind games with the Bruins to keep them guessing about whom they will face.
As for Roloson’s own mindset, he seems to have put Saturday’s struggles behind him.
“I felt good,” Roloson said of Game 4, when he was pulled after allowing three goals on nine shots. “Things like that happen in certain circumstances and situations. You look at it, you get better from it and forget about it.”
Roloson also sounds like he has accepted whatever role awaits him on Monday night.
“Nobody’s ever questioned what our coaching staff has done,” Roloson later added. “They’re going to do whatever it takes to win hockey games and make the moves they have to make to win a hockey game. Give them credit for doing the stuff that they’ve done so far and sticking with their plan.”
Just don’t expect to know exactly what that plan is ahead of time.
