"Predicting which goalies will shine in the Stanley Cup playoffs is an inexact science. Not many expected Tampa Bay's Dwayne Roloson, a 41-year-old journeyman, to have the best save percentage (.949) after the opening round. Not many expected Washington's Michal Neuvirth to enter Round 2 with the lowest goals-against average (1.38) in the playoffs. Oh, and not many expected Brian Boucher, who started the playoffs as the Flyers' No. 2 goalie, to have the third-best goals-against average (2.10) among teams' primary starters - and be ahead of such notables as Roberto Luongo, Carey Price, Tim Thomas, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Ryan Miller. Then again, Boucher - who will oppose the more-heralded Thomas when the Flyers open the Eastern Conference semifinals by hosting Boston on Saturday afternoon - has a history of excelling in the playoffs. Like teammate Danny Briere, Boucher, 34, raises his game in the postseason. Boucher's regular-season career numbers: 2.69 GAA, .901 save percentage. His career playoff numbers in 40 games: 2.19 GAA, .917 save percentage. That's why the Flyers don't look at the series as a goalie mismatch, even though Thomas is favored to win the Vezina Trophy as the league's premier netminder. "We found a way to get by Ryan Miller," said winger Ville Leino, referring to the conference quarterfinals against Buffalo, "and I'm sure we'll find a way to go by Thomas. I'm really comfortable with Boosh right now. He's a battler. He works hard and wants to win, and he's good with pucks and calms the defense down. We trust him quite a lot."" Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20110430_Boucher_is_Flyers__go-to_guy_in_goal.html
