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Thursday, October 7, 1999
Tugnutt saves praise for Lalime
Some of it came yesterday from the man he's replacing in the Ottawa net. Ron Tugnutt, the Senators' No. 1 goalie who's out of the lineup with a knee strain, said he was impressed with Lalime's play during Ottawa's wins over Philadelphia and the Rangers.
"In New York, I think he really stood tall and he played a very good game," said Tugnutt. "It was kind of like he was paying the guys back."
Lalime, hoping to carry on with his great debut, will make the first start of a home opener in his NHL career tonight when the Senators host the Bruins at the Corel Centre.
Lalime faced only 17 shots Saturday in Philadelphia, recording his fourth career shutout. In New York Tuesday, he made 37 saves during a busy 2-1 victory.
"Patrick was very strong," said coach Jacques Martin of Lalime's showing in the Big Apple. "He made the key saves at the right time."
Making those big saves appears to have given Lalime the proper frame of mind for an NHL return after spending the last two seasons in the minors.
"I think with a goalie, it's a matter of confidence," he said. "If you feel good, you see the puck big, and that's pretty much it."
Lalime's claim to fame is the unbeaten streak he manufactured in the first 16 games he played in the NHL for Pittsburgh. It's the longest unbeaten streak for a goalie from the start of a career.
"Pittsburgh is a long (time) away," said Lalime. "I feel pretty good here now."
Tugnutt is expected to get approval from a team doctor today to resume playing.
"I actually thought about playing or backing up in New York," said Tugnutt. "But I didn't have a good practice the day before. I had a little discomfort, but most of all I didn't see the puck very well. After the morning skate (Tuesday), I was ready to play."
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