Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack is the goalie Vancouver deserves, even if he's not the goalie the Canucks need right now...
Vancouver's goaltending saga dragged on for years, as the organization and the fanbase jockeyed between Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider, two elite starters. But both Schneider and Luongo have been sent packing over the past 10 months, which leaves the 26-year-old Lack - fresh-faced and possessing only 29 games of NHL experience - as the team's starter.
Lack has gone through some growing pains since emerging as the surprise victor in the Luongo/Schneider tug-of-war. Since Luongo was sent to Florida in a shocking deal on NHL trade deadlines eve, Lack has surrendered 12 goals on 67 shots for a brutal .820 save percentage...
"It’s easy to be Robin," Canucks head coach John Tortorella told reporters when asked about Lack's apparent growing pains. "When you become Batman it changes a little bit and we expect some bumps in the road with Eddie."
The biggest adjustment, presumably, a smaller codpiece.
While Lack will require some patience from the team, the struggling Canucks will need Lack to morph into the caped crusader they obviously believe he can be and soon. As it stands now, they're losing ground quickly in the (Adam) Western Conference...
The affable Lack, however, seems nonplussed about the pressure being placed on his shoulder. "I always want to be Batman. Just going try to do my best here and get back at it," Lack said on Tuesday.
Added Lack: "The Batmobile is pretty cool."
