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A 6-1 thumping delivered to the Islanders last night has put the orange and black on a three game winning streak and placed them at the top of the Atlantic Division in a tie with the Penguins.  It has become increasingly obvious over his last few starts that the one they call "BOB" is the superior Flyers goaltender (see Can We Build a Case for Bob? ).  He has also now managed to beat the high-powered Penguins twice in their own building in less than a month.  This raises quite an interesting question, one that Philadelphia has already had a taste of this year with their football team.

What happens when the "starter" comes back?

I'm sure we could all picture andy Reid in a press conference, breathing heavily with maybe some cole slaw on his chin, and talking about "Michael Kolb" and his usual truck load of bullshit.  Now, lets put him behind the bench at "The Well."  Our starter, Michael Leighton, is down with injury (he just skated for the first time yesterday).  He has a backup who is playing extremely well.  Stop me when this starts to sound familiar.  There is one glaring difference between the Flyers' and Eagles' situations however, it is the lifelong backup, Brian Boucher.  He has been his usual, mediocre to below average self, but continues to get starts on a fairly consistent basis.  But why?

The other night I was watching the game with some friends and one of them opined as to why this was the case.  You see, unlike our Big Red football coach, Lavs is not interested in having a giant mess on his hands once Leighton gets healthy.  Perhaps to avoid the disaster that the Eagles have managed to create at quarterback, Lavs is making sure to feed fans a steady diet of Boucher as to not get everyone too hyped-up about Bobrovsky.  By splitting time between the two goaltenders, he is making it obvious that he intends for Leighton to be the starter.

I'm not sure if I agree with the move, but at least the guy can make a freakin decision!  Leighton has been a career backup and was impressive at times during last year's playoff run, but was eventually exposed by the Blackhawks' relentless offensive attack.  In Bobrovsky, I see a guy with star potential.  This kid is far more athletic and naturally gifted than either one of the other two netminders on the roster.  If he can be taught some technique and learn how to control his rebounds, I believe the sky is the limit for the young Russian. 

I think I speak for a lot of fans out there when I say I was extremely disappointed that the Flyers did not sign a top tier goalie in free agency or through a trade this offseason.  Over the last twenty or so years, the lack of a legitimate number one goalie has been the main thing that has kept us from raising the Cup.  It was a guy that some younger fans may have never even see play, Ron Hextall, who was the last dominant Flyer between the pipes.  I feel like Bob may have the potential to fill that role when I see him fly through the crease.  Despite his heinous headgear he just looks like the guy I want in net.

I believe Bob is destined for the number two role despite his upside. Lavs is going to handle the situation in a very professional manner and hopefully we can keep this thing rolling right along.  Now, if we can just keep Shelly from stopping punches with his face we are in business.