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Guy Boucher believes he’s got two starting goalies

Guy Boucher, Steve Kozari, Dan Lacroix,  Pavel Kubina, Adam Hall

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Guy Boucher, center, yells at official Steve Kozari (40) as assistant coach Dan Lacroix, top left, players Pavel Kubina (13) and Adam Hall (18) listen during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. New Jersey won 4-2. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

AP

When the Tampa Bay Lightning traded for goalie Anders Lindback, it appeared they had landed their No. 1 netminder. Turns out that may not exactly be the case.

Coach Guy Boucher tells Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times that expecting Lindback to shoulder the bulk of the load over Mathieu Garon right away would be rough on the new guy.

“They’re both going to get a lot of ice time,” Boucher. “I’m not expecting Lindback to come in here and play 65 games. He played 15 games the past two years, so it’s not fair to him. It’s not fair for the expectations.”

In truth, Lindback played 38 games the last two seasons, so he’s got a bit more of a background than that, but the fact remains he doesn’t have a ton of experience. With Garon fully recovered from a groin injury that ended his season last year, Lindback has the veteran help he’ll need to back him up.

Still, after how ineffective Dwayne Roloson was last season, goaltending remains a question mark for the Lightning. They have to hope Lindback has the ability to be their top guy.