I'm very realistic about Thomas' play should he end up starting 20 of 22 games ala last season. He had very solid stretches last season as well of course. He also broke down awfully on many occasions and ended up very subpar for the year (much like the team). Apparently, first Rask then Alex freakin Auld can be plugged in and "get by" as long as Thomas returns to his form of a couple weeks back. Some of the success is smoke and mirrors for sure.
However, the change in system has the team playing better team defense, leading to more managable chances against Thomas. We've seen it where he won't steal a game for you by himself (Hasek-style), but can handle even large numbers of "normal" shots. With a somehow-better D in front of him, he's "flourished" thusfar on the season. I'm not saying he's an all-star either.
But let's not act like he was friggin awful THIS season just to exaggerate the "he's not a #1" argument of last year all over again. It's just old.
And yes, expecting him to shutout the Penguins in his first game off an injury layoff is truly fair.
Of course lost in all this venting is the fact that they came back from 4-0 down to earn a point on 4 goals in the last 30 minutes. They've been jumping out to leads, not coming from behind. They're 2nd in points in the East despite being .500 this month. Manny Fernandez stunk and then was lost for the season. They've lost their best play for an indeterminate time. They made hardly anything more than cosmetic changes to the roster.
And THIS is the start they're off to.
I'd say alot more has gone right than has gone wrong.
Still the negativity.