Okay... I don't wanna come off as a hater. But, Thomas wasn't that great. After years of playing goal and coaching. I can tell you that Thomas didn't overly impress me. Ill explain why.
Thomas challenges a lot. Cuts down the angle of the shot tremendously. This will work for one time shot opportunities. But, when you get rebounds they can and will be put home easily.
Most of Thomas' saves were from One time shots. His first save ability is stellar because of how aggressive he is on the challenge.
Why doesn't Thomas give up rebound goals? Is it because he is a vacuum that doesn't give up any rebounds....hell no. He gives up a ton of rebounds and losses the puck often.
Reason he doesnt give up rebound goals is because of the play in front of him. Boston's Defense is amazing. Not just the D-men, but the two-way forwards. They are physical as hell and arent scared to block a shot.
Look back at this whole playoff run, how many times did Thomas get luck. From a D-man blocking an open net, or a puck sitting in the crease just getting cleared out by one of his own, or him making some crazy ass desperation save that luckily caught a piece of him.
Lunogo and Thomas aren't great goalies... they are percentage goalies. Look at a goalie like Ward or Brodeur. Those are goalies that have a natural ability to steal a game on their own or to make a spectacular save that is pure talent.
If the Bruins had played a team that was physical like the redwings. It would have been a short series. Vancouver this whole series was looking for that famous 'pretty' play. Where the sundins would set up behind the net and make some crazy little pass to burrows. Shit isn't going to fly against a Defensive team like Boston.
Boston would have won this series without Thomas in net. Tukka Rask is a better goalie, IMO. And will take over next year. I can promise that.
Thomas is a hell of a guy with heart and deserved to win so much more than Luongo did. No doubt about that. Its just the fact his team won it for him. Boston's defense was a thing of beauty.
Don't even get me started on Luongo. Idk how a goalie as shaky as him gets so much damn praise. He is a pure percentage goalie. He is only good downlow. And stops a lot because of his size. His glove hand is a joke. He cant catch a puck to save his life. Always has a pop out occur. He can's stick handle ether. It's a wonder to me how the Canucks even made it this far.