Shero Has Confidence in Vokoun

Many people have pointed out the trades that Penguins general manager Ray Shero made around the NHL’s trading deadline as a key to his team’s success. However, his best deal may have occurred last summer on June 4.

It was then that Shero made a deal with the Washington Capitals to acquired goaltender Tomas Vokoun in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.

Vokoun was spectacular during the regular season, going 13-4 with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. But his biggest contribution came in the postseason, particularly in the Penguins’ opening-round series against the NY Islanders.

The series was tied at 2-2 when head coach Dan Bylsma inserted Vokoun into the lineup for Game 5. He responded with a 31-save shutout. Vokoun followed that by making 35 saves in Game 6 as the Penguins won in overtime to take the series, 4-2.

“Without having a Tomas Vokoun to go to in Game 5 of the Islanders series, I’m not sure what happens,” Shero said. “I’m not sure we don’t win, but I’m not sure we do.” ............

Read more @ http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=672622