“There is no question, when he is on his game, his best game is really good,” said Bowman. “It is trying to find that consistency, and that is what we are hoping to tap into. He’s shown the ability to be consistent in the past, and if we see the best version of himself on a regular basis then it will be a huge boost to our team. We know he has the ability to be an elite goalie.”

“I know there was a brain cramp on the giveaway on the third goal and Skinner has to own that, but I actually liked his game,” said Woodley. “Over his knees balance, how many times, even on breakaways, not splitting, not lunging, and those are the elements I will be looking for tonight in New York.  I saw some adjustments in his game that I really liked. It is the way he moves that I will be looking for, and there will be a process here.”

“I just think through two games we’ve seen a better balance in his movement and set up,” said Woodley. “We saw fewer of those pitched forward or lunging awkwardly moments, and while some of that may be a predictable defensive environment in Game 1, the Rangers made him move more in his second start. It’s not perfect — and few goalies are. There was a rebound recovery early where he got up with the wrong leg and he did make a good left pad save on a net drive by Carrick, that would have been successful if it got around him because he was down and stuck with no flow, and a late reaction on another high shot off the rush that hit the post, but he’s not taking himself out of the net on rush plays and when he stays controlled and balanced, he gives himself a chance to use that big frame more effectively more often.”