Goalie 1...
Regular season: 433 games, 199-162-45 (.546), 2.59, .912, 25 SO
Playoffs: 23 games, 11-12, 2.87, .908, 2 SO
Goalie 2...
Regular season: 247 games, 111-94-25 (.538), 2.63, .903, 13 SO
Playoffs: 12 games, 5-6, 1.84, .931, 3 SO
Goalie 1: 1-year/$1.4 million
Goalie 2: 1-year/$525 thousand
One goalie plays for a Stanley Cup champion, the other doesn't.
Showing posts with label goalies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goalies. Show all posts
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
You Can't Teach Experience
It’s been more than two months since the Pittsburgh Penguins ended the improbable run of Semyon Varlamov and the Capitals in the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs. That’s enough time to have passed that we can take a sober look at the goaltending situation. Specifically, do Caps fans have reason to hope – or to believe – that the Caps will knock down that door next June and skate with the Stanley Cup in their grasp? And, for purposes of this discussion, do they have any reason to expect that Semyon Varlamov will do a turn around the ice with the Cup as the goalie having led the way?
Well, it might help to take a look at the last 20 seasons’ worth of Stanley Cup winners and their goaltenders to get a hint.
Over those 20 seasons, 12 different goaltenders won their first (or only) Stanley Cup as the number one netminder for their teams as they marched to the prize:
Well, it might help to take a look at the last 20 seasons’ worth of Stanley Cup winners and their goaltenders to get a hint.
Over those 20 seasons, 12 different goaltenders won their first (or only) Stanley Cup as the number one netminder for their teams as they marched to the prize:
If there is a common – if not quite universal – theme, it is “experience.” Of those 12 goaltenders, only two had fewer than 100 games worth of regular season experience heading into the playoff year in which they won that first Cup (Martin Brodeur in 1995 (91 games) and Cam Ward in 2006 (28 games)). Eight of the 12 had more than 200 games of regular season experience before embarking on their first successful Stanley Cup run. The 12 goaltenders averaged 288 games of regular season experience before starting their respective runs to their first Cup.
That experience extends – to a point – to playoffs as well. Of the 12 goaltenders who won their first Cup over the last 20 seasons, only two had fewer than 15 games of Stanley Cup playoff experience before the year in which they won that first Cup (Bill Ranford in 1990 (four games) and Cam Ward in 2006 (no games)). The 12 averaged 31 games of playoff experience before beginning that playoff season in which they won their first Cup.
One would expect that these goalies, in addition to being experienced, would be successful as well. And it is true, at least with respect to their regular season experience. Nine of the 12 had won at least 100 regular season games before winning their first Cup. Three – Nikolai Khabibulin, Dominik Hasek, and Ed Belfour – won at least 200 games before winning that first Cup. None of the 12 had a below-.500 record (defined as the number of standings points earned among those standing points available in all of the decisions they earned). Eight of them had winning percentages of .550 or better, and three (Chris Osgood in 1998 (.665), Martin Brodeur in 1995 (.604), and Mike Vernon in 1989 (.644) had winning percentages over .600. These 12 goaltenders had an average regular season record of 141-96-35 before winning their first Cup.
Playoff success is a bit more complicated. Overall, the dozen goalies described here had middling success in the playoffs before embarking on their first successful run to a Stanley Cup. Their average record in games was 16-14 in 31 appearances. The thing, though, is the appearances. Only three of the 12 appeared in fewer than 20 playoff games before their first successful Cup run, and only one of the last ten (Cam Ward) appeared in fewer than 18 games. The last half dozen goalies to win their first Cup – including Ward – averaged 55 games.
What doesn’t seem to be much of a factor is having already appeared in a Stanley Cup final (and losing) before winning the Cup. Only four of the 12 appeared in a final before winning one, and none of them appeared in more than one before coming out on top.
The NHL has increasingly become a young man’s game. But experience counts at one position in particular, and it speaks to the odds on whether the Capitals can make a serious run at the Stanley Cup this coming season. The experience gained by Semyon Varlamov last spring was invaluable in his development as a playoff goaltender, but in light of recent history one has to wonder if it was enough. Jose Theodore certainly has the experience (501 regular season games, 49 playoff games), but his performance hasn’t inspired the greatest of confidence. For instance, he has never won more than six playoff games in any of the seven seasons in which he appeared in the playoffs and hasn’t won that many since 2002. Having mentioned both Caps netminders, it is worth noting that in three of the last four playoff years, the Cup-winning club got wins from both goaltenders along the way (Martin Gerber and Cam Ward in 2006, J-S Giguere and Ilya Bryzgalov in 2007, Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek in 2008).
This isn’t to say that the Capitals are doomed in their Stanley Cup hopes this year, but it does suggest that the path will be difficult. If Jose Theodore is going to be the guy backstopping the Caps to a title, he will have to reverse a history cluttered with a lack of playoff success. If it is to be Varlamov, he is going to have to grow up in a hurry.
That experience extends – to a point – to playoffs as well. Of the 12 goaltenders who won their first Cup over the last 20 seasons, only two had fewer than 15 games of Stanley Cup playoff experience before the year in which they won that first Cup (Bill Ranford in 1990 (four games) and Cam Ward in 2006 (no games)). The 12 averaged 31 games of playoff experience before beginning that playoff season in which they won their first Cup.
One would expect that these goalies, in addition to being experienced, would be successful as well. And it is true, at least with respect to their regular season experience. Nine of the 12 had won at least 100 regular season games before winning their first Cup. Three – Nikolai Khabibulin, Dominik Hasek, and Ed Belfour – won at least 200 games before winning that first Cup. None of the 12 had a below-.500 record (defined as the number of standings points earned among those standing points available in all of the decisions they earned). Eight of them had winning percentages of .550 or better, and three (Chris Osgood in 1998 (.665), Martin Brodeur in 1995 (.604), and Mike Vernon in 1989 (.644) had winning percentages over .600. These 12 goaltenders had an average regular season record of 141-96-35 before winning their first Cup.
Playoff success is a bit more complicated. Overall, the dozen goalies described here had middling success in the playoffs before embarking on their first successful run to a Stanley Cup. Their average record in games was 16-14 in 31 appearances. The thing, though, is the appearances. Only three of the 12 appeared in fewer than 20 playoff games before their first successful Cup run, and only one of the last ten (Cam Ward) appeared in fewer than 18 games. The last half dozen goalies to win their first Cup – including Ward – averaged 55 games.
What doesn’t seem to be much of a factor is having already appeared in a Stanley Cup final (and losing) before winning the Cup. Only four of the 12 appeared in a final before winning one, and none of them appeared in more than one before coming out on top.
The NHL has increasingly become a young man’s game. But experience counts at one position in particular, and it speaks to the odds on whether the Capitals can make a serious run at the Stanley Cup this coming season. The experience gained by Semyon Varlamov last spring was invaluable in his development as a playoff goaltender, but in light of recent history one has to wonder if it was enough. Jose Theodore certainly has the experience (501 regular season games, 49 playoff games), but his performance hasn’t inspired the greatest of confidence. For instance, he has never won more than six playoff games in any of the seven seasons in which he appeared in the playoffs and hasn’t won that many since 2002. Having mentioned both Caps netminders, it is worth noting that in three of the last four playoff years, the Cup-winning club got wins from both goaltenders along the way (Martin Gerber and Cam Ward in 2006, J-S Giguere and Ilya Bryzgalov in 2007, Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek in 2008).
This isn’t to say that the Capitals are doomed in their Stanley Cup hopes this year, but it does suggest that the path will be difficult. If Jose Theodore is going to be the guy backstopping the Caps to a title, he will have to reverse a history cluttered with a lack of playoff success. If it is to be Varlamov, he is going to have to grow up in a hurry.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Anything you can do...
...I can do better.
Tonight's lines for the kiddie goalies...
In the Ranger series, Varlamov is 2-2, 0.76, .969 and two shutouts. Meanwhile, Neuvirth closed out the Philadelphia Phantoms tonight, going 4-0, 1.50, .945, with one shutout.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Back to the Future
It's early -- two games worth -- but this isn't uncharted territory for a young Caps goalie, either. Why, back in 1998...
Friday, April 17, 2009
A Thousand or so Words About the Goaltender
Goaltenders are an odd lot. It is a position that doesn’t have a parallel in any major sport.
In baseball, catchers are probably the closest to that of hockey goaltender, but they participate in – and are expected to contribute to – the offensive side of the game. Goaltenders are (Martin Brodeur notwithstanding) generally disinclined to participate in starting plays, and they are prohibited by the rules from even crossing into offensive territory.
In football, place kickers are the first thing that comes to mind for their unitasking responsibility (kick oblate spheroids between uprights) and for their occasionally off-center personalities. But kickers might step onto the field, at most, a half dozen times a game to display their talents (between kicking extra points and field goals). Goaltenders are expected to stop 30 or more shots a game and might see an opponent attempt 50 or more. And, goaltenders are often identified as the key in big games. We don’t see a lot of ink devoted to Shaun Swisham being the key to the Redskins’ fortunes on any given Sunday. “Important?” Yes…”key?” No.
In basketball, nothing comes to mind that comes close to mirroring the unique characteristics of the position of hockey goaltender. You might stretch things to include a Dennis Rodman when he played in the NBA – a unitasker of a sort with his single-minded talent for rebounding. And, he certainly fit the “off-center” personality thing. But that’s a reach, too, and there isn’t anyone else, or any position, that makes one think, “yeah, that’s like a hockey goaltender.”
The uniqueness of the position sets the hockey goaltender apart, not only from other positions on the ice, but in a sense from his own teammates. It might be the mystery of the position or the lack of a common frame of reference between skaters and goaltenders, but one gets the feeling that in a lot of NHL locker rooms, the goaltender is somehow “different.” No less of a teammate, certainly, but someone whose idiosyncracies, personality quirks, superstitions, and routines might be curiosities and characteristics to be accepted by teammates at a discrete distance.
We suspect this applies to coaches as well. It just seems in reading and listening to coaches in the NHL talk about their own goalies from time to time that they often struggle with just how to relate to their goaltender. And that goes both ways. When Glen Hanlon – a former goaltender himself – was coaching the Caps, and after he was relieved, we remember the occasional quote from former Caps goalie Olaf Kolzig suggesting that Hanlon “got it” with respect to dealing with goalies. Well, we’d expect him to.
What all this is prelude to is that Coach Bruce Boudreau has a big decision facing him before Game 2 on Saturday. He’s been mum about it, even if he’s made it. And that decision is whether to pull Jose Theodore after a disappointing performance in Game 1 in favor of rookie Simeon Varlamov in an effort to improve the performance in goal and perhaps give his team a jolt. When you think of the expectations surrounding this team, the specter of huge disappointment if the Caps should not advance beyond this round, a national television audience watching, and a home crowd getting antsy (already) about their Caps, this has the makings of being the biggest coaching decision in Boudreau’s tenure with the club.
If there is any coach in the NHL who would have to make that decision (Scotty Bowman having retired), I can’t think of one better equipped to make it than Boudreau. He’s seen it all, in every corner of North American hockey. He’s coached teams that exceeded expectations, and he’s coached teams that have perhaps fallen short. He’s been in a 0-1 hole in playoff series before, like the AHL Calder Cup final in 2006, which his Hershey Bears came back to win.
But he still has to contend with the unique nature of the position and psyche of the incumbent holding it when making that decision, because that decision affects both the incumbent (How does he take it? Can he rebound if called back to the ice?) and the replacement (Is he ready? Have we prepared him well enough? Is this the right time?). While he makes that decision for skaters as well, there is the fact that there is only one goaltender (and only one “number one” goaltender, by definition) and all the attention centered on the position.
Game 2 is the most important game the Caps will have played, to date, this year. One could argue it is the most important game they've played since losing a triple-overtime game, and playoff series, to Tampa Bay in 2003. If they lose, they stand only the slimmest of chances of advancing past the first round. And, a good portion of the good will that comes with being the upstart young kids making good could be lost – another in a history of underachieveing outcomes for the Capitals.
Which direction the Caps will take rests largely on the decision on who is in goal tomorrow. This isn’t to say that whatever decision is made, this series will turn into a goaltending duel. We still believe that Henrik Lundqvist is objectively a better goaltender than either of the choices the Caps have. Lundqvist is, in our opinion, one of the top three goaltenders in the league, so he’s going to win a lot of those comparisions.
The goaltender backstopping the Caps has to make all of the saves he should and almost all of them he shouldn’t. For the skaters, their job is not to be so irresponsible or not to lose such focus in their system that they put their goalie in the position of facing the task of making a lot of saves he shouldn’t. That’s on the players to keep this from becoming a goaltending duel.
As for the decision, we suspect Coach Boudreau is going to turn once more to Jose Theodore, a goalie who has shown no small measure of resiliency in coming back from bad performances this year, even against this opponent. We’re not going to be a Monday morning bench coach. We’ll state right now that we think it would be the correct decision.
In baseball, catchers are probably the closest to that of hockey goaltender, but they participate in – and are expected to contribute to – the offensive side of the game. Goaltenders are (Martin Brodeur notwithstanding) generally disinclined to participate in starting plays, and they are prohibited by the rules from even crossing into offensive territory.
In football, place kickers are the first thing that comes to mind for their unitasking responsibility (kick oblate spheroids between uprights) and for their occasionally off-center personalities. But kickers might step onto the field, at most, a half dozen times a game to display their talents (between kicking extra points and field goals). Goaltenders are expected to stop 30 or more shots a game and might see an opponent attempt 50 or more. And, goaltenders are often identified as the key in big games. We don’t see a lot of ink devoted to Shaun Swisham being the key to the Redskins’ fortunes on any given Sunday. “Important?” Yes…”key?” No.
In basketball, nothing comes to mind that comes close to mirroring the unique characteristics of the position of hockey goaltender. You might stretch things to include a Dennis Rodman when he played in the NBA – a unitasker of a sort with his single-minded talent for rebounding. And, he certainly fit the “off-center” personality thing. But that’s a reach, too, and there isn’t anyone else, or any position, that makes one think, “yeah, that’s like a hockey goaltender.”
The uniqueness of the position sets the hockey goaltender apart, not only from other positions on the ice, but in a sense from his own teammates. It might be the mystery of the position or the lack of a common frame of reference between skaters and goaltenders, but one gets the feeling that in a lot of NHL locker rooms, the goaltender is somehow “different.” No less of a teammate, certainly, but someone whose idiosyncracies, personality quirks, superstitions, and routines might be curiosities and characteristics to be accepted by teammates at a discrete distance.
We suspect this applies to coaches as well. It just seems in reading and listening to coaches in the NHL talk about their own goalies from time to time that they often struggle with just how to relate to their goaltender. And that goes both ways. When Glen Hanlon – a former goaltender himself – was coaching the Caps, and after he was relieved, we remember the occasional quote from former Caps goalie Olaf Kolzig suggesting that Hanlon “got it” with respect to dealing with goalies. Well, we’d expect him to.
What all this is prelude to is that Coach Bruce Boudreau has a big decision facing him before Game 2 on Saturday. He’s been mum about it, even if he’s made it. And that decision is whether to pull Jose Theodore after a disappointing performance in Game 1 in favor of rookie Simeon Varlamov in an effort to improve the performance in goal and perhaps give his team a jolt. When you think of the expectations surrounding this team, the specter of huge disappointment if the Caps should not advance beyond this round, a national television audience watching, and a home crowd getting antsy (already) about their Caps, this has the makings of being the biggest coaching decision in Boudreau’s tenure with the club.
If there is any coach in the NHL who would have to make that decision (Scotty Bowman having retired), I can’t think of one better equipped to make it than Boudreau. He’s seen it all, in every corner of North American hockey. He’s coached teams that exceeded expectations, and he’s coached teams that have perhaps fallen short. He’s been in a 0-1 hole in playoff series before, like the AHL Calder Cup final in 2006, which his Hershey Bears came back to win.
But he still has to contend with the unique nature of the position and psyche of the incumbent holding it when making that decision, because that decision affects both the incumbent (How does he take it? Can he rebound if called back to the ice?) and the replacement (Is he ready? Have we prepared him well enough? Is this the right time?). While he makes that decision for skaters as well, there is the fact that there is only one goaltender (and only one “number one” goaltender, by definition) and all the attention centered on the position.
Game 2 is the most important game the Caps will have played, to date, this year. One could argue it is the most important game they've played since losing a triple-overtime game, and playoff series, to Tampa Bay in 2003. If they lose, they stand only the slimmest of chances of advancing past the first round. And, a good portion of the good will that comes with being the upstart young kids making good could be lost – another in a history of underachieveing outcomes for the Capitals.
Which direction the Caps will take rests largely on the decision on who is in goal tomorrow. This isn’t to say that whatever decision is made, this series will turn into a goaltending duel. We still believe that Henrik Lundqvist is objectively a better goaltender than either of the choices the Caps have. Lundqvist is, in our opinion, one of the top three goaltenders in the league, so he’s going to win a lot of those comparisions.
The goaltender backstopping the Caps has to make all of the saves he should and almost all of them he shouldn’t. For the skaters, their job is not to be so irresponsible or not to lose such focus in their system that they put their goalie in the position of facing the task of making a lot of saves he shouldn’t. That’s on the players to keep this from becoming a goaltending duel.
As for the decision, we suspect Coach Boudreau is going to turn once more to Jose Theodore, a goalie who has shown no small measure of resiliency in coming back from bad performances this year, even against this opponent. We’re not going to be a Monday morning bench coach. We’ll state right now that we think it would be the correct decision.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Consistency of Inconsistency...Among Commentators
The NBC Boys don’t seem to think much of the Caps chances for a Stanley Cup run with Jose Theodore as their goaltender (2:15 in for those of you not wanting to wait)…
Theodore is described as “playing small” by Pierre McGuire and as “definitely an inconsistent goaltender” by Mike Milbury. Well, gee. If we want to shine the light on goaltenders in the East, we might as well send seven teams to the first tee now and just let Marty Brodeur suit up to meet whichever team comes out of the west. Why?...
In Boston, Tim Thomas probably merits the Vezina Trophy (Steve Mason fans, notwithstanding). But since going undefeated over a six game stretch in late January and early February, he is 5-5-1 and is showing his own signs of inconsistency. In five wins, he has allowed only eight goals. In six losses (including an overtime loss to Washington), he has allowed 14… not bad, certainly, but in his last five games he has a GAA of 2.62 and a save percentage of .911. Those are pretty ordinary numbers. A sign of a slump coming on?
In Philadelphia, the Flyers seem to want to give the keys to the car to Martin Biron, but he keeps on dropping them. Biron has played better lately – 3-2-0, 1.60, .942 in his last six appearances (he got a no-decision in relief of Antero Niittymaki in a 5-1 loss to Calgary). But before this latest run, Biron might have been the very epitome of “streaky.” Going back through his season, he had these records…3-5-0, 10-2-3, 3-5-1. Think he has the consistency for four series wins in him?
Milbury points to Marc-Andre Fleury’s record since Dan Bylsma took over behind the Pittsburgh bench and pronounces him “absolutely” good enough for the Penguins. OK, maybe. But in his 9-1-1 run under Bylsma, Fleury’s numbers are 2.56 and .906. Those aren't numbers that jump off the page. He can count wins against Florida (twice), Tampa Bay, the Islanders as part of that run. Maybe we shouldn't be all that quick to pronounce Fleury (who has otherwise mediocre numbers this year) “absolutely” the guy to carry a team deep into the playoffs.
In Montreal, Carey Price is about as likely to allow four or more goals on any given evening as not. He’s done it seven times in 17 games since January 21st, during which time he has gone 4-11-2 (he had a no-decision on February 15th against Vancouver). His save percentage over that span is .882, perhaps making folks in Montreal wonder if he really is ready to be the number one goalie for now. Does that mean the Habs turn to Jaroslav Halak? A guy with all of two playoff games on his resume (no wins)?
The Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist might be the best Eastern Conference goalie not named "Marty" to carry his team deep into the playoffs. And in fact, he seems to be getting out of a slump of his own – he has won his last five decisions (including a 4-1 win over Philadelphia today) and has allowed only nine goals in doing so. His trouble is having to bear too large a burden with the underachieving Ranger skaters angling for room to ride on his shoulders. From January 28th through February 26th, it looked as if that burden might finally be getting to Lundqvist, as he had a record of 2-7-4, 2.74, .912. He’d be the goalie who, along with Brodeur, could drag a team along with him for a playoff ride, but the Rangers have the worst offense in the league (2.40 goals/game).
In Carolina, Cam Ward is another one of those goalies who has played better of late (9-5-1 in his last 15 decisions, 2.24, .921), but who has a season of mediocrity behind him. His overall GAA and save percentage have him tucked safely into the middle of the NHL pack (17th and 22nd, respectively). And, before his latest 15-game run, he had one winning streak of more than three games this year (the same number as Jose Theodore). Ward’s problem might be that the Hurricanes are riding him so hard. He has been the goalie of record in 35 of the last 36 Carolina games and has played in 18 in a row. Given Carolina’s precarious hold on the eighth spot in the East, he’s not likely to get a break soon…or perhaps have anything left for the playoffs.
We’re not making the argument that Jose Theodore is a lock to be a Conn Smythe Trophy winner in the playoffs, or that he is even a lock to get the Caps to the second round. He is in the midst of his own bout of inconsistency (5-4-1 in his last ten decisions, 2.95, .905), but there is an annoying consistency in the commentary of “experts” with respect to Theodore’s play. It is, for lack of a better description, “creating a fact.” As if by saying a thing long enough and often enough, whatever the real performance of the player in question, that the repetition will create the “fact” that a player is, in this case, “inconsistent.” Hockey pundits have been pounding the theme of "Theodore isn't consistent enough to win" since he was signed, and it has shown no sign of abating. But there isn't a lot of ink or air time devoted to the chinks in the armor of the other goaltenders in the East. Even Brodeur, with that 7-1-0, 1.95, .930 record since returning from injury, has earned some of those wins over also-rans -- Colorado, Toronto, Phoenix -- and he was pasted by the Islanders for six goals. There aren't any sure things here.
Theodore has wrestled with bouts of inconsistency this year, and even for those who point to his propensity for post-Christmas success, he has had win-loss success (18-8-3), but his numbers of 2.52 and .914 that accompany that record aren’t extraordinary. However, they could be, given the talent elsewhere on this roster, enough to get the Capitals deep into the playoffs. His chances appear as good as just about any other goaltender in the East…well, except maybe for that Brodeur guy.
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Theodore is described as “playing small” by Pierre McGuire and as “definitely an inconsistent goaltender” by Mike Milbury. Well, gee. If we want to shine the light on goaltenders in the East, we might as well send seven teams to the first tee now and just let Marty Brodeur suit up to meet whichever team comes out of the west. Why?...
In Boston, Tim Thomas probably merits the Vezina Trophy (Steve Mason fans, notwithstanding). But since going undefeated over a six game stretch in late January and early February, he is 5-5-1 and is showing his own signs of inconsistency. In five wins, he has allowed only eight goals. In six losses (including an overtime loss to Washington), he has allowed 14… not bad, certainly, but in his last five games he has a GAA of 2.62 and a save percentage of .911. Those are pretty ordinary numbers. A sign of a slump coming on?
In Philadelphia, the Flyers seem to want to give the keys to the car to Martin Biron, but he keeps on dropping them. Biron has played better lately – 3-2-0, 1.60, .942 in his last six appearances (he got a no-decision in relief of Antero Niittymaki in a 5-1 loss to Calgary). But before this latest run, Biron might have been the very epitome of “streaky.” Going back through his season, he had these records…3-5-0, 10-2-3, 3-5-1. Think he has the consistency for four series wins in him?
Milbury points to Marc-Andre Fleury’s record since Dan Bylsma took over behind the Pittsburgh bench and pronounces him “absolutely” good enough for the Penguins. OK, maybe. But in his 9-1-1 run under Bylsma, Fleury’s numbers are 2.56 and .906. Those aren't numbers that jump off the page. He can count wins against Florida (twice), Tampa Bay, the Islanders as part of that run. Maybe we shouldn't be all that quick to pronounce Fleury (who has otherwise mediocre numbers this year) “absolutely” the guy to carry a team deep into the playoffs.
In Montreal, Carey Price is about as likely to allow four or more goals on any given evening as not. He’s done it seven times in 17 games since January 21st, during which time he has gone 4-11-2 (he had a no-decision on February 15th against Vancouver). His save percentage over that span is .882, perhaps making folks in Montreal wonder if he really is ready to be the number one goalie for now. Does that mean the Habs turn to Jaroslav Halak? A guy with all of two playoff games on his resume (no wins)?
The Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist might be the best Eastern Conference goalie not named "Marty" to carry his team deep into the playoffs. And in fact, he seems to be getting out of a slump of his own – he has won his last five decisions (including a 4-1 win over Philadelphia today) and has allowed only nine goals in doing so. His trouble is having to bear too large a burden with the underachieving Ranger skaters angling for room to ride on his shoulders. From January 28th through February 26th, it looked as if that burden might finally be getting to Lundqvist, as he had a record of 2-7-4, 2.74, .912. He’d be the goalie who, along with Brodeur, could drag a team along with him for a playoff ride, but the Rangers have the worst offense in the league (2.40 goals/game).
In Carolina, Cam Ward is another one of those goalies who has played better of late (9-5-1 in his last 15 decisions, 2.24, .921), but who has a season of mediocrity behind him. His overall GAA and save percentage have him tucked safely into the middle of the NHL pack (17th and 22nd, respectively). And, before his latest 15-game run, he had one winning streak of more than three games this year (the same number as Jose Theodore). Ward’s problem might be that the Hurricanes are riding him so hard. He has been the goalie of record in 35 of the last 36 Carolina games and has played in 18 in a row. Given Carolina’s precarious hold on the eighth spot in the East, he’s not likely to get a break soon…or perhaps have anything left for the playoffs.
We’re not making the argument that Jose Theodore is a lock to be a Conn Smythe Trophy winner in the playoffs, or that he is even a lock to get the Caps to the second round. He is in the midst of his own bout of inconsistency (5-4-1 in his last ten decisions, 2.95, .905), but there is an annoying consistency in the commentary of “experts” with respect to Theodore’s play. It is, for lack of a better description, “creating a fact.” As if by saying a thing long enough and often enough, whatever the real performance of the player in question, that the repetition will create the “fact” that a player is, in this case, “inconsistent.” Hockey pundits have been pounding the theme of "Theodore isn't consistent enough to win" since he was signed, and it has shown no sign of abating. But there isn't a lot of ink or air time devoted to the chinks in the armor of the other goaltenders in the East. Even Brodeur, with that 7-1-0, 1.95, .930 record since returning from injury, has earned some of those wins over also-rans -- Colorado, Toronto, Phoenix -- and he was pasted by the Islanders for six goals. There aren't any sure things here.
Theodore has wrestled with bouts of inconsistency this year, and even for those who point to his propensity for post-Christmas success, he has had win-loss success (18-8-3), but his numbers of 2.52 and .914 that accompany that record aren’t extraordinary. However, they could be, given the talent elsewhere on this roster, enough to get the Capitals deep into the playoffs. His chances appear as good as just about any other goaltender in the East…well, except maybe for that Brodeur guy.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
All in all...
...a damned fine week.
The Caps faced three goaltenders -- Roberto Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Martin Brodeur -- who were a combined 98-66-17, 2.28, .919, with 14 shutouts last year. The three were a combined 6-0-0 against the Caps last year, 1.99, .936.
And the Caps were 2-0-1 against the three this past week, scoring 12 goals in the process. The Caps scored a total of 12 against the trio in six games last year.
The Caps faced three goaltenders -- Roberto Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Martin Brodeur -- who were a combined 98-66-17, 2.28, .919, with 14 shutouts last year. The three were a combined 6-0-0 against the Caps last year, 1.99, .936.
And the Caps were 2-0-1 against the three this past week, scoring 12 goals in the process. The Caps scored a total of 12 against the trio in six games last year.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
How they're made
This Labor Day weekend, as we're anticipating hurricanes and hockey season, we'll leave you with a couple of how-do-they-make-that videos...
This being Labor Day weekend here in the U.S., remember...someone has to make those pucks, sticks, masks, and skates. See you in a couple of days...
This being Labor Day weekend here in the U.S., remember...someone has to make those pucks, sticks, masks, and skates. See you in a couple of days...
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Goaltender's Journey
There will be a lot of eyes focused on the nets this year -- not the ones into which Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green, and Alexander Semin are shooting pucks, but the one defended by Jose Theodore. His is not an enviable position, taking over for as close to a sports icon as hockey has ever produced in the Washington community -- Olaf Kolzig. No pressure, eh?
Well, this got us to thinking about goaltenders for Stanley Cup winners in the post-Gretzky, four-in-five-years era. We were wondering about their respective journeys in getting to hoist the chalice. Did they dance with who brung 'em (drafted them, that is)? If not, were they seasoned with a long resume before arriving at their opportunity? Were they successful with that club in the first year they arrived? Well, here's the tale-of-the-tape...
Eight of 19 Stanley Cup winners in this era were backstopped by goaltenders drafted by that team; nine if you count Chris Osgood's second tour with Detroit. In that respect, the goalie having been drafted by the club winning a Cups doesn't appear to be much of a factor.
Of the 10 instances in which the Stanley Cup winner had an "import," only two -- Dominik Hasek and Patrick Roy -- won in their first year with their respective clubs. It is worth noting that in nine of those 10 cases in which a goalie not drafted by the winner was in the nets, the goaltender played at least 266 games with other teams before finding ultimate success.
For those of you wondering where Theodore falls out on this...
It doesn't speak to necessarily winning a Cup this year (chances are, the Caps will not be top-of-the-heap favorites), but there is history in goaltenders taking a long and winding road before finally having their names on the Cup. It bears watching.
Well, this got us to thinking about goaltenders for Stanley Cup winners in the post-Gretzky, four-in-five-years era. We were wondering about their respective journeys in getting to hoist the chalice. Did they dance with who brung 'em (drafted them, that is)? If not, were they seasoned with a long resume before arriving at their opportunity? Were they successful with that club in the first year they arrived? Well, here's the tale-of-the-tape...
Eight of 19 Stanley Cup winners in this era were backstopped by goaltenders drafted by that team; nine if you count Chris Osgood's second tour with Detroit. In that respect, the goalie having been drafted by the club winning a Cups doesn't appear to be much of a factor.
Of the 10 instances in which the Stanley Cup winner had an "import," only two -- Dominik Hasek and Patrick Roy -- won in their first year with their respective clubs. It is worth noting that in nine of those 10 cases in which a goalie not drafted by the winner was in the nets, the goaltender played at least 266 games with other teams before finding ultimate success.
For those of you wondering where Theodore falls out on this...
It doesn't speak to necessarily winning a Cup this year (chances are, the Caps will not be top-of-the-heap favorites), but there is history in goaltenders taking a long and winding road before finally having their names on the Cup. It bears watching.
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