Tomas Vokoun to start in goal for Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3

When the Pittsburgh Penguins turned to Marc-Andre Fleury for goaltending relief in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final, it seemed like the perfect time for the franchise netminder to reclaim his place as the clear-cut starter.

Instead, after allowing a couple of questionable goals in the Penguins’ 6-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Monday, Fleury will be back on the bench for Wednesday’s Game 3.

Jun 1, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun (92) makes a save against Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) during the first period in game one of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Boston Bruins won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Following Pittsburgh’s gameday skate Wednesday morning at TD Garden, coach Dan Bylsma announced that Tomas Vokoun will get his 10th straight start as the Penguins try to battle back from a 2-0 deficit in the best-of-seven series.

“Looking for a solid game from our goaltender,” Bylsma told the assembled media members in Boston. “We’ve gotten that from Tomas in virtually every game he’s played. We don’t need perfection. We’re looking for a solid game between the pipes…and allow our team to win the hockey game.”

Even after allowing three goals on 12 shots Monday behind a porous Penguins defense, Vokoun still has a .929 save percentage in the playoffs, 10 points better than his regular-season numbers. The 36-year-old has been mostly reliable after taking over during the first-round series against the Islanders, if not spectacular.

“It’s the coach’s decision,” Vokoun said about getting the call again. “I’m just trying to repay their confidence, have a good game and help the team win.”

Fleury might have missed out on his best opportunity to regain Bylsma’s confidence in Game 2. He allowed Brad Marchand to beat him on an unscreened 40-foot shot with nine seconds left in the first period, killing any energy the Penguins gained from Brandon Sutter’s goal moments earlier:

Fleury seemed to gain strength as the game went along, but surrendering another long-range goal to Johnny Boychuk in the third likely reserved his spot on the bench for Game 3:

A similar goal to those two would be even more deflating in Game 3, which is probably why Bylsma turns to Vokoun yet again.