Pittsburgh Penguins: Can a new goalie coach help Marc-Andre Fleury?

May 9, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) blows a bubble while on the bench against the New York Islanders in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Marc Andre-Fleury has been an elite goaltender in the regular season most years he has been in the NHL. In the playoffs though, it’s a different story.

Two years ago, he was lit up by the Flyers, surrendering 30 goals in six games. This year against the Islanders, he allowed 14 goals in four games before being pulled in favor of Tomas Vokoun. Former Penguins goaltending coach Gilles Meloche stepped down and now the Penguins have a new one. So the question is: can coach Mike Bales help Fleury in the playoffs?

The answer is most likely yes. He could probably help Flower a lot in these playoffs next year. Fleury needs to learn not to panic in key situations in big games, which he has done a lot over the course of these last two postseasons. Before that, Fleury was outstanding, especially in the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs when the Penguins went all the way to win the championship. He was also great in 2008 when the Pens came within two wins of a title.

Can Bales help make Fleury what he was in 2009? Absolutely. Will it take a lot of hard work and effort for these two to make it happen? Yes. It’s worth it though if the Penguins want to win another Cup. Assuming no other goalies are added to the team, Flower is going to have to lead the Pens in the playoffs.

The Penguins have a lot of work to do with their goaltending. It’s going to be tough and it’s going to be work. I think the 28-year-old Fleury is going to have a career season and come out stronger than ever. He’s going to be a different man in these playoffs this season, hopefully with Bales’ help.