Given the amount of games that he has started recently it is no surprise that Coach Ken Hitchcock today officially named Robert Esche as the starting goalie for the playoffs.

Ken Hitchcock – “I really wanted to see if Robert, who has missed a year could get his game in order. This wasn’t a competition between two goalies. This was watching a veteran goalie to see if he could get his game in order, and he did. He found his game and personality and accepted the responsibility with the position so we’re going to go with him.”

NHL stats were very very similar between the two goalies. Goals against average was identical, Esche had a .002 edge on save percentage. The fact that Esche came within a game taking the Flyers to the finals was a factor in the decision. What wasn’t factored in was Antero Niittymaki’s stellar play in the Olympics and his great play in last years AHL Calder Cup being named MVP.

Robert Esche “It was really my first experience with media. I took something to heart that I probably shouldn’t have prior to the playoffs. It was stupid. You can’t worry about that kind of stuff. I’ve been dealing with the media a lot through the lockout, being the player rep, and I know a lot of them and have gotten to like a lot of them. I realize they have a job to do. I’d never be that guy I was in 04 again.”

Looks like Silent Bob won’t be back.