So, the latest in the never-to-stop (by me?) debate over Bernier-for-Scrivens sees Ben trump anything Mr. Bernier has done so far for the Leafs. And with a record-shattering performance!
Now, a disclaimer: Yes, it was just one game!
No need to get carried away.
But I'm not sure. You know, that was sort of like a no-hitter out there, to borrow a term from baseball. What, I don't write anything about baseball?
In any event, I think this 59-save effort certainly should indicate that Ben Scrivens is a capable goalie. Now that is actually a compliment. Let me give you an example of some capable goalies. They have plenty of fans out there and they'd be on my team in half a heartbeat!
Two of my favourite goalies in the league are Roberto Luongo of the Canucks and Mark Andre Fleury of the Pens. They have much in common, not the least of which was being on the Olympic team in 2010. Both were deserving. Yet, you get the feeling that neither of them is quite an elite goalie. But they are oh-so-close. And I think the same thing of Ben Scrivens. Here's why.
Okay, take a look on youtube for Luongo and Fleury. They've got a bunch of vids out there on both. They make eye-catching saves. But then, they'll have games where you really wonder if their heads are screwed on straight. Goaltending is just on a different scale of mental focus, believe me.
Goaltending in hockey differs greatly from positioned players. The goalie plays the entire game (barring a "hook" because of poor play or an injury) and must focus, focus, focus. Even when there is no shot directed at him, the goalie needs to follow plays, analyse and make mental notes. What does this shooter do? What about skating tendencies? There's just so much involved in goaltending that you and I don't see. Luongo and Fleury, I both believe do this fairly well most of the time. But there is the feeling that Roberto and Mark's focus isn't there enough game in, game out. Judging from their recent playoff performances, you have the feeling the lack of proper focus is being exposed. This is what seperates good goalies from great goalies. The great goalies have it all the time!
But I have seen great focus from both, at least in the regular season. And Fleury in the 2009 playoffs. Luongo almost brought the Cup to Vancouver 2 seasons later. Both Luongo and Fleury play on teams where their eye-catching performances are lost in the on-ice-artistry of the Sedins and the Keslers, the Crosbys and the Malkins. A goal by any one of them has got to be the highlight of the night, right? You're not going to remember the Luongo and Fleury stop!
But there are games when Vancouver and Pittsburgh have just mailed it in, and you know what? They still won. The goalie bailed them out.
Now, this may have been the case for Scrivens in Los Angeles. But I can remember games with Toronto where he played we. Maybe the Leafs didn't win, but he did keep them in there. And yes, there were games where he looked like he was fighting the puck.
But again, here's that word again: Scrivens is capable!
Can he be consistent? I could ask the same question of Luongo and Fleury and get a shoulder shrug! And Luongo will be mentioned again, by the way!
And for you stat lovers out there. Here's a little chart. A little comparison for the rubber that has been directed at goalies in one game since 87/88. Another disclaimer is that Sam Lopresti recorded 80 saves in a 1941 game. I however, am not going to include that for a number of good reasons. Not the least of which is the lack of television, obviously. Do you really think there is no chance that at least a few of those 83 shots (Sam gave up 3 goals and still lost the game) weren't really shots on goal? Exactly!
Since this was a regular season game, I decided to omit any playoff games. Just because this was a 60-minute affair. But I will include OT games.
Now, a disclaimer: Yes, it was just one game!
No need to get carried away.
But I'm not sure. You know, that was sort of like a no-hitter out there, to borrow a term from baseball. What, I don't write anything about baseball?
In any event, I think this 59-save effort certainly should indicate that Ben Scrivens is a capable goalie. Now that is actually a compliment. Let me give you an example of some capable goalies. They have plenty of fans out there and they'd be on my team in half a heartbeat!
Two of my favourite goalies in the league are Roberto Luongo of the Canucks and Mark Andre Fleury of the Pens. They have much in common, not the least of which was being on the Olympic team in 2010. Both were deserving. Yet, you get the feeling that neither of them is quite an elite goalie. But they are oh-so-close. And I think the same thing of Ben Scrivens. Here's why.
Okay, take a look on youtube for Luongo and Fleury. They've got a bunch of vids out there on both. They make eye-catching saves. But then, they'll have games where you really wonder if their heads are screwed on straight. Goaltending is just on a different scale of mental focus, believe me.
Goaltending in hockey differs greatly from positioned players. The goalie plays the entire game (barring a "hook" because of poor play or an injury) and must focus, focus, focus. Even when there is no shot directed at him, the goalie needs to follow plays, analyse and make mental notes. What does this shooter do? What about skating tendencies? There's just so much involved in goaltending that you and I don't see. Luongo and Fleury, I both believe do this fairly well most of the time. But there is the feeling that Roberto and Mark's focus isn't there enough game in, game out. Judging from their recent playoff performances, you have the feeling the lack of proper focus is being exposed. This is what seperates good goalies from great goalies. The great goalies have it all the time!
But I have seen great focus from both, at least in the regular season. And Fleury in the 2009 playoffs. Luongo almost brought the Cup to Vancouver 2 seasons later. Both Luongo and Fleury play on teams where their eye-catching performances are lost in the on-ice-artistry of the Sedins and the Keslers, the Crosbys and the Malkins. A goal by any one of them has got to be the highlight of the night, right? You're not going to remember the Luongo and Fleury stop!
But there are games when Vancouver and Pittsburgh have just mailed it in, and you know what? They still won. The goalie bailed them out.
Now, this may have been the case for Scrivens in Los Angeles. But I can remember games with Toronto where he played we. Maybe the Leafs didn't win, but he did keep them in there. And yes, there were games where he looked like he was fighting the puck.
But again, here's that word again: Scrivens is capable!
Can he be consistent? I could ask the same question of Luongo and Fleury and get a shoulder shrug! And Luongo will be mentioned again, by the way!
And for you stat lovers out there. Here's a little chart. A little comparison for the rubber that has been directed at goalies in one game since 87/88. Another disclaimer is that Sam Lopresti recorded 80 saves in a 1941 game. I however, am not going to include that for a number of good reasons. Not the least of which is the lack of television, obviously. Do you really think there is no chance that at least a few of those 83 shots (Sam gave up 3 goals and still lost the game) weren't really shots on goal? Exactly!
Since this was a regular season game, I decided to omit any playoff games. Just because this was a 60-minute affair. But I will include OT games.
| Date | Team | Opp | OT? | Goals | Shots | S% | Goalie |
| 29/01/2014 | SJS | EDM | No | 0 | 59 | 1.0000 | Scrivens |
| 26/12/1992 | LAK | SJS | No | 2 | 59 | 0.9661 | Hackett |
| 21/03/1991 | BOS | QUE | Yes | 3 | 73 | 0.9589 | Tugnutt |
| 31/01/1991 | VAN | NYR | Yes | 3 | 62 | 0.9516 | Richter |
| 23/11/2009 | TOR | NYI | Yes | 3 | 61 | 0.9508 | Roloson |
| 27/02/2002 | DET | FLA | Yes | 3 | 60 | 0.9500 | Luongo |
| 25/10/2008 | NYI | CAR | No | 3 | 60 | 0.9500 | Ward |
| 17/03/1993 | NYR | EDM | Yes | 3 | 59 | 0.9492 | Ranford |
| 12/03/1989 | CHI | PIT | No | 5 | 62 | 0.9194 | Barrasso |
| 28/03/1988 | MNS | CHI | Yes | 7 | 63 | 0.8889 | Mason |
| 23/02/1991 | CGY | QUE | No | 10 | 59 | 0.8305 | Cloutier |
| 24/02/1990 | MTL | PIT | No | 11 | 61 | 0.8197 | Pietrangelo |
References
http://www.hockey-reference.com/
http://www.nhl.com/
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