Luck and trying to catch lightning in a bottle is not a strategy. Having three-four mid-talent goalies like Hill and having them compete for opportunity until someone gets hot? That actually IS a strategy. Vegas got lucky on Hill because, despite low-odds, they cast the dice multiple times.
We run our goaltending succession planning like a team that has established excellence at the position. Positions are annointed and then adjusted only after catastrophe. There is zero competition for roles.
@Soundwave seems to want consistent above average starter performance but isn't willing to pay for it. That's not how it works.
We also haven't invested in developing goalies, else wise why did we pass on Wallstadt? That's the only way to get a cheap, high end goalie.
Look... I don't mind people complaining about goaltending or Skinner specifically, but you guys are missing the point entirely.
Our team is CONSTRUCTED to favor top-end offensive talent AT THE EXPENSE of top-end defensive / goaltending talent.
And then, we seem confused to have lost a 2-1 SCF finals game.
Why would you ever expect we'd be the team coming out on top of a score like that? We're built to win 4-2 by forcing and capitalizing on mistakes with our superior offense.
If both teams play close to their level of perfection... then we AREN'T the team that's going to outlast in a game of mistake-free hockey. We just aren't. We aren't built that way. We haven't invested in the best low-mistake players... the other team has. Kulak made a mistake, he was too deep. As a consequence, Skinner was also too deep (that's what happens your D are backing up on you, you back up too to preserve sightlines). Two mistakes and it's over.... unless...
We've invested in a team that punishes, even creates, mistakes. If we failed to create those mistakes, or punish the mistakes that were there, well then blame your top-end talent for failing to execute, or blame your investment strategy, not the low-end "fill out the roster" defense and goalies we invested very little in. They played exactly as anyone would expect them to... good enough to compete, but not good enough to be difference makers. They aren't paid to make a difference.