Confusion has swirled around the Golden Knights organization following a report Friday that goalie Robin Lehner would undergo season-ending surgery. Shortly after the report, head coach Pete DeBoer said that he wasn’t aware of the surgery.
“Not to my knowledge,” DeBoer said about the potential surgery. “It was a maintenance day today. I expect (Lehner) at practice tomorrow. I expect him dressed on Sunday.”
DeBoer publicly criticized Lehner’s performance following a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on April 18. On April 20, DeBoer then pulled Lehner after one period against the Washington Capitals in a 1-1 game.
Per DeBoer, goalie Logan Thompson will start Sunday against the San Jose Sharks and Lehner will be available as the backup.
The Golden Knights have four games remaining on their schedule and continue to stand on the outside looking in on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, trailing both the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars by 4 points each.
It has been a difficult season to say the least for Lehner, who took over as the team’s top goalie after Marc-Andre Fleury was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks before the season. Injuries and inconsistent play have plagued Lehner’s season, and DeBoer’s recent comments and coaching decisions may suggest a bigger rift has grown between Lehner and the team as they are on the verge of missing the playoffs.
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