AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

After Antti Raanta pitched a shutout on Friday night in Chicago, Alain Vigneault is going to ride the hot hand and start Raanta tonight in New Jersey. Henrik Lundqvist, who has struggled to start the season, will be the backup for the second straight game. This will be the first time since 2013 that Lundqvist will be the healthy backup for two straight games.

Most people, like myself, have no problem with riding the hot hand. Raanta has been great, and Hank has not been comfortable in net. It’s perfectly fine to let him work on things and get comfortable. The major source of controversy is that the coaching staff seems to pick and choose accountability situations.

There is no goalie controversy in New York. Hank is still the starter and will carry the workload. Raanta is getting extra games while he is hot.

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