netminder roundup

Well before I get started, it is officially Veteran's Day here in the good ol' US of A, and I just wanted to send a thank you out to all veterans and active duty soldiers for doing what they're doing. All gave some, some gave all. So thanks. Ok enough of that. There's hockey to discuss.


I have been trying to figure out a way to cover these goalie tandems (or however many may be used in some cases), and i guess it'll have to be divisional. It's just easier that way. So we're gonna do this just like the seasonal previews, let's begin with the Northeast Division.

Boston Bruins: Tim Thomas (8-0-0, SO 3, GAA 1.39, Save% .959), Tuukka Rask (0-3-1, SO 0, GAA 2.66, Save% .921)

As I mentioned on facebook, this may or may not be the best goaltending duo in the National Hockey League today. Despite Rask's record I will still say this is one of the best tandems in the league. Tim Thomas has been the best goaltender in the opening month of the season. He is simply unbeatable. Only one other goaltender has has many wins as Tim Thomas at this point, and that is LA's Jonathan Quick, but he has lost a game and only has one shut out to his credit this season. I really have nothing else to say about Thomas. It's all there, and you can't dispute it.
I do however have to comment on Tuukka Rask's marginal performance so far this season. I personally only saw him play in the season opener overseas, where the Bruins looked completely outplayed by the Phoenix Coyotes. His numbers are respectable, although based on his play down the stretch last year and into the first round of the playoffs, he is definitely off his game. What I don't like about talking about goaltenders, is simply the wins/losses. The goaltender is the only player who gets a personal win or loss, when it's up to the whole team to win or lose. That being said, there are instances when a goalie's play will win or lose a game for a team, but when a team is playing terribly, you can't expect a goalie to save them all. Either way Rask needs to find some confidence with a win and go from there. Right now the bruins are scary.

Montreal Canadians: Carey Price (8-5-1, SO 2, GAA 2.28, Save% .918) Alex Auld (1-0-0, SO 0, GAA 1.00, Save% .968)

This team will go as far as Carey Price can carry them (ugh that was a terrible pun and unintentional too). Alex Auld put up decent numbers in his only appearance, but it's up to Price to get this team into the playoffs and win a round, at least. Price's numbers are very reflective of the team in front of him. If they play well, so does he. Fair or not, the media and fans in Montreal are incredibly demanding, and if Price can't handle it (see: telling the fans to "chill") there's no way he will last in the Blanc rouges et bleu.

Ottawa Senators: Pascal Leclaire (0-2-1 SO 0, GAA 3.24, Save% .903) Brian Elliot (8-4-0, SO 0, GAA 2.81, Save% .911) Robin Lehner (0-0-0, SO 0, GAA 0.00, Save% 1.000....relief appearances)

Pascal Leclaire's seemingly endless list of injuries make the trade with columbus seem laughable, but he is more than a capable goaltender. It's his perpetual spot on the DL that make him nothing more than someone you'd want as a backup. Brian Elliot should be this team's number 1 from here on out. What Ottawa needs is to play overall better hockey as they currently have more goals against than goals for. They have won 4 in a row, so maybe things are heading in the right direction for the Senators. Only time will tell if Leclaire can stay healthy and return to his promising form, or if he'll slowly go the way of the Buffalo. Speaking of Buffalo....

Buffalo Sabres: Ryan Miller (3-5-2, SO 0, GAA 2.71, Save% .903), Patrick Lalime (0-3-0, SO 0, GAA 3.32, Save% .888) Jhonas Enroth (2-1-0, SO 0, GAA 3.62, Save% .870)

Really, what can you say about Buffalo? This team is in dire straits already. They are currently sitting 12th in conference and are 27th overall in the league. The Sabres are very much in of a shake up as this team isn't up to much good. Only 8 players on the roster are a 0 or plus, which is indicative of a team that's struggling both offensively and defensively. The injury to Ryan Miller cannot be seen as good, even if it is "day to day." They are on their best winning streak of the season having just won their second game in a row last night beating New Jersey in a shoot out. Goaltending needs to improve, but so does this team in every aspect in order for them to be successful. Right now, look for Jhonas Enroth to take over the backup spot once Ryan Miller returns from injury...if Buffalo is willing to waive Lalime.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Jean-Sebastian Giguere (4-4-2, SO 0, GAA 2.48, Save% .902) Jonas Gustavsson (1-3-1, SO 0, GAA 2.97, Save% .898).

Leaf Nation, I feel for you. Maybe. I appreciate your extreme devotion, but this team is not going to win the cup anytime soon. JS is playing well enough, but this team cannot win in front of him. With the exception of Kessel, this team is mostly 2nd-4th line guys. The defense should be playing far better, because on paper it's one of the deepest in the league. This team has lost seven in a row. Giguere, as previously stated, isn't stinking up the joint, but he isn't getting help. Not from his offense, not his defense...or his back up.
Jonas Gustavsson is, or was, one of the most sought after goaltending prospects in recent memory. The Leafs won "The Monster," but so far he has far from lived up to expectations. I can't see Giguere being re-signed, especially not at a salary close to his current $6million per year. If that should happen, the monster will have to elevate his play. Hopefully this can be another season of learning and growing for Gustavsson, who has shown glimpses of his potential during his tenure in the NHL, and he's also shown that he was very good playing in Sweden. Given his two year extension, he will have to live up to the hype, otherwise it will be a long two years for both the Leafs and the Monster.