To get the obvious out of the way, Jaro is now goalie #1. As we recall from 2019, you can realistically ride goalie #1 all the way through the SCF...in a normal year. But is the 35-yo Halak able to do so in a compressed playoff schedule that is perpetually subject to change? And if he can, is it even advisable?
If the answer to both questions is an unequivocal “yes,” then this is largely an academic exercise, useful only if Halak gets injured. But if there’s a “no,” “maybe,” or “we’ll see” in the mix, then we’ve got two relative unknowns to discuss: newly minted backup Dan Vladar, and 3rd string goalie Max Lagace (who didn’t dress yesterday).
Vladar has never been on NHL ice, while Lagace put up sparse and moderately unattractive numbers in backup duty for Vegas in the last two seasons. Neither one inspires a lot of confidence with me, but is it reasonable to expect Halak to power through to the SCF without a break in this environment? If not, I assume you go to Vladar? Maybe not?
If the answer to both questions is an unequivocal “yes,” then this is largely an academic exercise, useful only if Halak gets injured. But if there’s a “no,” “maybe,” or “we’ll see” in the mix, then we’ve got two relative unknowns to discuss: newly minted backup Dan Vladar, and 3rd string goalie Max Lagace (who didn’t dress yesterday).
Vladar has never been on NHL ice, while Lagace put up sparse and moderately unattractive numbers in backup duty for Vegas in the last two seasons. Neither one inspires a lot of confidence with me, but is it reasonable to expect Halak to power through to the SCF without a break in this environment? If not, I assume you go to Vladar? Maybe not?