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Hockeytown0001

12/11 GDT : Red Wings at New Jersey Devils, 7:00 EST

By Hockeytown0001, in General

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jimmyemeryhunter    2,747

jimmyemeryhunter
Posted (edited)

God Howard is so disgustingly awful at shootouts. It makes me irrationally mad lol

One goal leads late in the game, and shootouts make me nervous when Howards in, but I still feel more comfortable with Howard in a lot of situations.

If Mrazek let's in a bad goal, there's still that thought in my mind that he's having an off night.(which hasnt really happened this season) Howard on the flip side is usually good for one questionable one, but he'll be solid after it usually.

Either way, I'm really happy our goaltending has been at this level. Its good to see.

And @echolalia the goalie switch thing makes me nervous, stretching seems more important to goalies. So I don't know what the numbers would say about who's better and all that, but could you imagine some of the saves they make with a tight groin.

Ouch.

And I wouldn't want one of our guys to go down, the backup situation behind Mrazek/ Howard makes me nervous.(although I do think Coreau will be a serviceable NHL backup some day.)

Edited by jimmyemeryhunter

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Jacksoni    418

Jacksoni
Posted (edited)

Mrazek's got what it takes. Howard has proved time and time again that when the moment counts he can't make the save.

Mrazek has been great. Clearly in lead for the #1 spot. But why the rush to choose a rank? Both goalies can play. We're in a sweet spot, getting the max from both due to the competition. I say let it play out until late season, maybe even the playoffs.

Might wanna throw Mrazek in a couple of extra times against teams he has beaten alone. Tampa don't love no Mrazek for instance.

Edited by Jacksoni

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PavelValerievichDatsyuk    1,935

PavelValerievichDatsyuk
Posted (edited)

I don't think getting warmed up to go into a game is much an obstacle to overcome. There are exercise bikes for aerobics, there are players who are perpetually benched for OT that can take practice shots with a practice puck in the back, or even the trainer or something, goalies can throw a super ball against a wall to keep reflexes sharp once OT starts. If you're in the group that believes that warming up is an issue, then it's an issue that can be solved without too much trouble. And even if someone argued that no amount of prep can truly get you into game form the way 30 minutes of practice on the ice before a game does, we're still weighing whatever perceived disadvantage that brings against Howard's very quantifiable disadvantage in the shootout, warmed up or otherwise.

Specifically pertaining to the bolded: I'm interested to know if this is actually true and if there is quantifiable evidence that supports goalies having a lower save % for the first handful of shots they take relative to the rest of the game, or even their running average. As of now I'm skeptical.

Warmup can refer to stretching muscles. That's seems to be how you're using the word. So yes, Mrazek may not pull his groin.

The other kind of of warmup is getting in tune with the angles of the ice, rhythm of the game, and being mentally present and sharp on your reflexes. Sitting on the bench for 3 hours is not conducive to this. 1st thing probably every coach ever has said when there's a goalie change is "test him early" or "get some shots on him when he's finding his rhythm." I think there's wisdom in these cliches and I've seen it work, though I don't know how you'd find stats to back it up.

The best argument against it is Kip's, though. Replacing Howard with Mrazek for shootouts would maybe gains us 2 extra points over the course of the year (assuming we have 4 shootouts during this year). Meanwhile we'd be shaking Howie's confidence and maybe alienating him, which could result in losing possibly many points due to losing half of our great goaltending duo.

Edited by PavelValerievichDatsyuk
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Echolalia    2,961

Echolalia
Posted

I think the ego thing is bull. An NHL goalie with a fragile ego is an unemployed one. Also if Howard's ego is a deterrent to solid gameplay, I would think that losing his solid number 1 role this year and splitting starts would have caused his numbers to be s***ty, but he's currently putting up the 4th best save % of a 10 year career, and higher than his career average. If anything, that suggests that having the added pressure of a capable goalie to replace him would improve his stats, not break him.

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kickazz    5,459

kickazz
Posted (edited)

I think the ego thing is bull. An NHL goalie with a fragile ego is an unemployed one. Also if Howard's ego is a deterrent to solid gameplay, I would think that losing his solid number 1 role this year and splitting starts would have caused his numbers to be s***ty, but he's currently putting up the 4th best save % of a 10 year career, and higher than his career average. If anything, that suggests that having the added pressure of a capable goalie to replace him would improve his stats, not break him.

Maybe.

Or maybe splitting time is better for him long term rather than playing night in and night out? He seemed to hit a wall last year after a stellar first few months.

Who knows.

But either way - splitting games isn't the same as being replaced in a game. He might just feel happy about having a chance to split and still prove himself after having to sit for the playoffs last year.

Edited by kickazz

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Echolalia    2,961

Echolalia
Posted (edited)

Maybe.

Or maybe splitting time is better for him long term rather than playing night in and night out? He seemed to hit a wall last year after a stellar first few months.

Who knows.

I think splitting time is better for both of them because it introduces competition and neither goalie is playing with the safety net of knowing their job is safe as the number one goalie. But Howard has shown in the past that he's capable of playing ~60 games a season and putting up solid numbers. I think last year's issue was more a result of the injury he sustained in January. He was doing great beforehand, and never returned to form once he came off IR.

anyway I didn't mean to derail this thread with a goalie debate. I just thought that putting a "closer" in for the shootout might be an idea worth looking further into.

Edited by Echolalia
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ami    273

ami
Posted (edited)

Stars (not Dallas', but actual stars) positioning is as such it give us pretty neutral referees this night: Eric Furlatt (27) and Ian Walsh (29). Their record against Red Wings are in favor to Wings: 52-28-24 and 45-24-21.

Anyhow, these should be matter too much, as Wings win this game in their own rights.

Dats score hisf****** two points (not one, TWO!!)

GO WINGS!!

Edit: damn iphone corrector, let me make my own mistake for god sake!

Edited by ami

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