Philadelphia Flyers: Goalie Controversy Between Brian Boucher, Sergei Bobrovsky

Controversy, Philadelphia, what else is new?  This time, it stars goalies Brian Boucher and Sergei Bobrosvky. 

In the early going, "Bob" looked to be running away with the starting job.  He has been sensational and proves that the Flyers have a bright future in net.  His play throughout the first few months has put the Flyers in their position atop the NHL Standings.

Brian Boucher has been equally as good as Bob's backup.  He's served as a mentor to the young Russian and has taken over the starting role as of late.  Credit Boucher who may be the best backup goalie in the NHL right now.  Boucher's currently won three straight starts and is Peter Laviolette's "hot hand" in net.

Laviolette doesn't like to switch things up when the team's streaking.  This was noticeable early on in the season when he started "Bob" in 12 consecutive games. This was justified as "Bob" earned each of those starts and went 9-1-1 during that stretch.  

As of late, Laviolette has referred back to Boucher and it has worked out in spades.  Until tonight's game, Boucher had started three straight games, winning all three and gave up just four goals.  Most notable was a win last night against the Pittsburgh Penguins with NHL supremacy on the line.  

Going forward, the Flyers are sitting nicely in the net.  Boucher is a perfect mentor and complement to the younger Bobrovsky.  With Bobrovsky leading the way, the Flyers are set at goalie for quite some time.  The Russian has responded well to the pressure of playing the starting role in Philadelphia.  Also, he embraces the challenges that the future may bring.

The Flyers are the deepest that they've been in quite some time, not just in net but up and down the roster.  Also often forgotten yet waiting in the wings in last year's hero Michael Leighton.  Leighton has just been activated but will have to earn every bit of his playing time.  With Boucher and Bobrovsky playing as well as they are, it will be hard to insert Leighton into the lineup.  

For the foreseeable future, Sergei Bobrovsky is the present and future of the Philadelphia Flyers.  That is great news for a team that's been waiting for a "true" goaltending prospe for a while.