I'm not happy with this decision. I understand the Panthers haven't won with José in goal for a few games, but after the great play he gave them this season, this seems like a slap in the face. I know it's a very important game, SE division title on the line, but I feel like Dineen is punishing José for the recent losses, even though they are team losses. Yet José is the one that got the team to this position.
But that's an emotional response from a José fan, so take it for what it's worth. Maybe I could look at it as giving José a rest before the playoffs begin. Of course, if Clemmensen starts the first game of the playoffs, then I'll know that's not the case...
What bothers me the most are Dineen's comments from last post-game. This is from George Richards' On Frozen Pond:
It will be interesting to see whom coach Kevin Dineen starts against Carolina. Dineen reiterated that Jose Theodore is Florida's starting goalie, yet he wasn't happy with Theodore's past two performances. Florida could have clinched the division with a win Tuesday against Winnipeg yet coughed up a 3-0 lead and lost 5-4 in overtime.
On Thursday, Dineen pulled Theodore after Washington jumped to a 3-0 lead in the second. Theodore took a break on the bench before returning less than two minutes later.
“He's not getting off the hook,'' Dineen said. “He's been my go-to guy and he needs to get it done. He has to make sure his game is in order. He's been around a while and we have a strong relationship. He knows my expectations.''
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