Thomas looks ahead, not behind as Game 3 nears

BOSTON -- Wearing a gray polo t-shirt with a pair of sunglasses clipped to the collar, Boston goalie Tim Thomas was comfortable as ever Sunday afternoon, less than 24 hours removed from a heartbreaking loss to Vancouver in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Thomas was at the TD Garden on Sunday afternoon to meet the media as the Stanley Cup shifts from Vancouver to Boston for Monday's Game 3 (Versus, CBC, RDS). Saturday night, Thomas allowed the game-winning goal to Alexandre Burrows just 11 Seconds into overtime; the Canucks second-straight one-goal victory in this series.

The first question Thomas faced was no softie: Does an aggressive goalie such as himself ever consider making adjustments to his game?

Thomas let out a slight smile. The question, of course, was in reference the game-winning goal of Game 2, when Thomas challenged Burrows on a fast break, only to get caught on the right side of the goal and have Burrows swing around and slide the puck into an open net.

"I have a pretty good idea of how to play goalie," Thomas said. "I'm not going to be taking suggestions or advice at this time. I'm just going to keep playing the way I have."

The goaltender insists he will have the same mindset entering Game 3 on Monday night at Boston, even with the Bruins sitting in a 2-0 hole.

According to Boston coach Claude Julien, there's no reason Thomas should adjust his game. He's been sensational in the Final so far -- recording 63 saves combined in Games 1 and 2 -- and frankly, has been sensational for the entire season.

"I think all year long we've played in front of Timmy Thomas," Julien said. "To me, he's a Vezina Trophy winner. We are here right now because of his contribution, which has been really good.  For us to be sitting here having to answer those kind of questions is ridiculous to me."

Julien further proved the case for his starting goalie, pointing out some of the "unbelievable saves" Thomas made in Game 2 that the coach said kept his team in the game. In the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Thomas has recorded a .930 save percentage, allowing just 2.27 goals per game.

"So if we want to focus on that last goal, which I think a lot of other players could have done a better job, I think it's focusing on the wrong thing," Julien said.

For Thomas, the last goal -- and the last two games in general -- aren't a concern for him. He has a clear mind entering Game 3.

"You have to put it behind you, obviously," Thomas said. "I think actually I've already done that.  I've already started to prepare for tomorrow.  I just have to, not just me, but the whole team has to put it behind them, show up ready to play the best they're capable of tomorrow."