a little bit magic

criticallycanuck:

Fresh word out of Canuck camp is that back-up Cory Schneider will start the most important game of the season tomorrow in Boston. Given the recent strong play of Roberto Luongo, this decision has most of the pundits confused. Here’s why they shouldn’t be.

As it relates solely to the fragile ego of the franchise goalie, there is more to be lost than gained by having Roberto face the Bruins.  Another nightmare in Beantown could quickly derail his game to October levels.  Who needs that?

And while a steady win for Roberto might prove to some that he can actually win in Boston, it would be just as easy to dismiss the event as a no-pressure regular season one-off.  In the end, all that matters around here is how Luongo is playing in May and June.

Further, and most importantly, the Canucks need to know exactly what they’ve got in Cory Schneider.  They know what they’ve got in Roberto Luongo - a world class goalie who can become easily combustible in the crunch.

Heading into this year’s playoff drive, if they are truly going to be a “better” team than last year’s incarnation, they need to know that Schneider has big game readiness.  And what better way to find out than a Stanley Cup rematch in Boston, where the Canucks didn’t come close to winning last year.

A win by Schneider in Boston tomorrow not only boosts his market value, but gives the Canucks another option come playoff time.