Hammond And Bernier: Don't Give Up On Them Yet!

A few weeks back I wrote about Craig Anderson and James Reimer. They were back where they belonged after being usurped. For Reimer, it's been a two year wait. For Anderson, it was The Kid with an amazing run. Ottawa and Toronto will need these two.

Jonathan Bernier, who assumed the number one role from Reimer two seasons ago, appears to be making the turnaround. He's found himself in the minor leagues. Well, Jonathan doesn't have to worry about not playing now, as his backup is the zamboni driver (Are the Leafs trying to motivate him?). But seriously, he's posted back-to-back shutouts and is definitely going to get the call. And a short drive, if you know what I mean.

It's still early in the season, but their is plenty of time for Bernier, with a few good starts at the NHL to turn it around. He played very well in 2013/14 for Toronto, but an injury suffered late in the season didn't help. He played more the next season, 58 games compared to 55 in 13/14, but his play dropped. Jonathan was still the number one guy when the Leafs' season started this year, in spite of some serious off-season changes to Leafland management.

But then a funny thing happend.

James Reimer started to play. And play well. Bernier wasn't winning games or getting any goal support. You know, like the stat run support in baseball? James just seemed to hit his stride. But then he got hurt, which opens the door for Bernier.

Right now, Toronto is using Garrett Sparks, who wasn't even alive when the Leafs made it to within a game of the Stanley Cup finals back in 1993. That gives you an idea of his age. So far, so good. 2-1, 2.33, .920, and a shutout to boot. But there's no way Toronto can go with this kid, unless he's the second coming of Andrew Hammond (More on him later).

But Bernier has experience. He played well as a backup with the Los Angeles Kings before Toronto acquired him for Ben Scrivens and Matt Frattin. His time in Los Angeles impressed the Leafs' brass, and made Scrivens expendable. Even if the situation in Toronto is that the Leafs never make him the #1 guy, he's under contract for two years. Maybe he will regain that status with Reimer hurt. Regardless, we have not heard the last about Bernier in Toronto.

Andrew Hammond came out of nowhere to go 20-1-2 last season. He's 2-0-2 this season, proving that last year was no fluke for the Senators' netminder. But really, the job was always Craig Andesons's and last years' playoff sort of proved it. While he is 34, Craig's shown no signs of slowing down. And while his stats aren't eye-popping this season (Yet, but just watch, they will), he's proven himself in stealing games over and over again. Usually, the goalie who "wins" you games is the number one guy, where as the guy that can also stop pucks in the backup. That's the way it goes in the NHL.

Hammond, though, suffered a concussion (Goalies are always at risk for that in a crowded crease) back in mid-November, and might be gone for a time. But his real numbers this year (.930 SV% despite the opposition averaging nearly 36 shots on goal a night) are enough to make me feel like he'll be around a while when he comes around. The Sens third-stringer, Matt O'Connor, has been used just once this season, and it's been all-Anderson even in back-to-back nights. Ottawa is not sold on O'Connor at this point.


References


“Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. (07 Dec. 2015). http://www.nhl.com/

Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. (7 Dec. 2015)

Canadian Press. "Bernier Starts for Marlies, Zamboni Driver Signed as Backup - Sportsnet.ca." 04 Dec. 2015. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/bernier-starts-for-marlies-zamboni-driver-signed-as-backup/. Web. (07 Dec. 2015).

Anderson And Reimer: Reclaiming Thrones That Shouldn't Have Had Usurpers!

Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators and James Reimer of the Toronto Maple Leafs guard the nets for Ontario NHL teams. They each showed up one fine day during the 2010/11 season for struggling franchises, although that is as far as the similarities (Save for one more obvious one) go. Craig is 34. Reimer is 27. Craig has been in the NHL since way back in 2002/03, whereas Reimer's '10/11 season was his rookie campaign.

Their paths have been very different since that 2010/11 season. Reimer looked good that year, 20-10-5, 2.60, .921. It wasn't enough to get him much Vezina, Hart or even Calder consideration. Yet, from that moment, he has build up a strong following in Toronto. Anderson arrived in Ottawa with the Sens out of the playoff picture (Toronto also missed, but just barely, that season). He had lost his previous six games with the Colorado Avalanche. And for this reason, he supposedly wasn't a good goalie. The Senators were struggling. They were just 18-31-9 on February 18th of that season. Anderson played the next night for his Sens debut. In the irony of ironies, he faced the Leafs in Toronto with James Reimer in net. Both goalies got the shutout, but Anderson won the shootout (The last time, as of this writing, that Ottawa and Toronto met, the two goalies were again in net, and again the Sens took it in a shootout). The Sens didn't look back. They went 14-9-1 in their last 24 games, as Anderson was the difference. Ottawa used six goaltenders that season. Five of them had losing records. Craig Anderson went 11-5-1, 2.05, .939 for his new team that season. Ottawa had a long history of good, sometimes great goaltending. But not the kind of netminding that steals you games.

The shootout loss to Ottawa dropped Toronto to just 25-27-7, but the Leafs rallied, going 12-5-4 over their next 21 games, before dropping the last two games of the season in regulation time. Still, that and the coming of Optimus Reimer was a good sign that the franchise's goaltending woes were also over. Toronto didn't get into the playoffs, of course.

Reimer saw his game falter the next season, as did the Leafs' team. Anderson also faltered a bit, but nonetheless, given his first taste of a postseason in an Ottawa uniform, the 30-year old nearly fashioned a stunning upset of the New York Rangers. Craig was nothing short of excellent that postseason.

Reimer has only experienced the postseason once. That was back in 2013, and until the Leafs squandered a two-goal lead late in game seven versus the Boston Bruins, it was all looking up. Meanwhile, Anderson beat the Montreal Canadians almost single-handily.

The next season was a rough one for both franchises and both goalies. Anderson still fashioned a winning record, but saw his goals-against-average rise to 3. Reimer's ended up well over that, 3.16. Worse still, he lost the #1 job to newcomer (From Los Angeles) Jonathan Bernier. Reimer was just 12-16-1. Leaf fans showed impatience with him and vented towards his wife on twitter. Reimer had seemingly had enough. He requested a trade, but later withdrew it. The next season went no better for him, as he again lost 16 games. But (for him) two good things happened that potentially kept him a Leaf. Bernier struggled in his second tour of duty for Toronto. Reimer played 35 games, again lost 16 of them, but did the right things off the ice. With the Maple Leafs (Make Me Laughs, for sure at this point), James kept his composure, and kept a positive attitude. Which was refreshing on the whole. Toronto had one dreary finish to the season. Wholesale changes were in order in the offseason. But James Reimer was still a Leaf to start the 2015/16 season.

Craig Anderson, though, bounced right back in a big way on the ice, while being a strong veteran presence off the ice for the Senators in 2014/15. He finished seventh in the league in save percentage, .923. Can you believe it though, he was almost swept under the rug come playoff time?

The Senators enjoyed a tremendous second half. Alas, our boy was hurt during most of it. Worse, the story in the NHL at this time was Andrew Hammond. Andrew stepped into the spotlight for Ottawa in goal and was nothing short of brilliant. 20-1-2. That was his record. Was this the end of Anderson?

When the Sens fell behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven playoffs vs. the Habs, it looked pretty bad for Ottawa. Anderson was needed. He lost a tough game in overtime to put the Senators on the brink of elimination. But from there, Craig showed the Sens the way. With a brilliant performance over the course of the remaining three games, Anderson got Ottawa all the way back to a game six, finishing the playoffs with a remarkable SV% of .972. Sens fans were left to ponder the outcome of the postseason had Andy been in there from the get-go.

As for Hammond, he's been hurt this season. Oh, he's 2-0-2, so he can't lose. Anderson, however, is continuing to prove he's The Man in Ottawa. In Hammond's absence, all Craig Anderson has done is gone 10-5-3. While his GAA is 2.78 and his SV% is only .916, it doesn't look like (baring injury) that Hammond is needed as Craig continues to win (Actually steal) the big games. A recent stretch has seen him post back-to-back shutouts. Craig isn't giving up his post.

Reimer was looking at the life of a backup. But then this season started, and Bernier was 0-8-1. James was given the ball, and he ran with it. A recent injury has sidelined him. But all James has done is go 7-3-4, 2.07, .934. Is the James Reimer of old back? Time will tell, obviously. Toronto is in a rebuild mode this season, but has new personnel. Most notably, coach Mike Babcock and general manager Lou Lamoriello, both of whom are welcome additions to a Leaf team that seemingly had no direction prior to this year.


It's a rebuilding time for the Toronto Maple Leafs, whereas the Ottawa Senators are building after their stunning playoff appearance of last season. But if the "Battle Of Ontario" is to ever resume (And wasn't it great back in the early 2000s? Wait...It's been that long?) it will need the top-notch goaltending to get the fans' attention. The Masked Marvels of the ice are the last line of defence and often the difference between winning and losing. It's like pitching in baseball. In order to be successful, you have to have it. While Ottawa and Toronto might not think that Craig Anderson or James Reimer can win every game, at this point it's pretty obvious that when their in the crease, the odds of winning go up significantly.


References


“Official Site Of The National Hockey League.” NHL.com, National Hockey League, 1 Dec. 2015, www.nhl.com/.

Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

Youtube. Web. 1 Dec. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/>.

The Leafs Goaltending: Maybe Leaf Things Well Enough Alone!

So, Toronto has a goaltending controversy? Really? When?

I thought I saw this all last year. Did you? You nod in agreement. Okay. Randy Carlyle said it was okay. Is is okay if I vent my two cents? This is my blog and Carlyle says it's okay! Alright!

James Reimer. Hey, didn't he start last year pretty well? Yes. How about this year? More of the same, says I. Can he sustain it? Well, that has yet to be determined. Oh yeah, get to, "The Other Guy!" Last year, it was Reimer.

This year, it's Jonathan Bernier. So he starts the season in goal. Carey Price shows him what a real number one goalie should be like in the season opener. In the next game against Pittsburgh, Bernier gets left out to dry and gives it his all. But of the 41 shots against, he can only stop 36. Uh-oh. Everything was settled, set in stone and right for the season. Time for plan "B". Goalie" B". Or is it now goalie "A"? See, this is how and why this thing is so confusing and engaging. Oh, and also because it's Toronto, you see. I sense a cure for 1967 coming here. Really!

Well, maybe not, but Optimus Reimer sure has Leaf Nation believing. And for good reason. The Leafs played like beleafers out there against New York when he started in front of the twine. An injury that forced his removal, oddly, seemed to overshadow the fact that he'd played well, and so had Toronto. A nice six-goal explosion helps, too!

And then a nice OT win, which Reimer almost lost with a delay of game penalty late. Granted, he lost to Detroit. But when Bernier struggled again, against Boston, Carlyle was forced to admit the situation was far from okay. And then, he was forced to admit that Reimer was a little better than okay! Joking aside, somehow, Reimer seems right at home here in Toronto, doesn't he? They throw you under the carpet, then reach over to dust the floor, and notice there's some hidden treasure underneath.

That came in the form of a great win over Chicago. Reimer, what can I say? To say he stole the game, no, that's not enough. It was one of those games. The games that, even if you really believe in Toronto, a loss had to seem the most likely scenario for this team. Toronto hung on well for two. Game tied, Leafs take the lead in the third. Of course, here's where Chicago takes off. Alas, here's where Reimer stole it! Outshot 23-7, Toronto looked like a bunch of minor league rejects in the third. Reimer, though, looked like the reincarnation of Curtis Joseph with his sprawling, last minute grasp. Everyone was looking at the stubborn red light. What, there just had to be a malfunction. That would explain it all!

Out off all that, the Leafs held on to win somehow. Reimer, allowed those two goals on powerplay. Hmmm, I blame not the goalie, but rather the infractions on those two.

So, of course, that just added fuel to the fire. The fire of "Who's In Goal?" That, has gained in recent weeks as the most famous routine since Abbott and Costello's "Who's On First?" The Leafs headed out west to take on Arizona (or Phoneix, if you haven't started watching hockey this year) and Colorado. Bernier looked primed to start against the 'Yotes, but Carlyle decided against it. Reimer played. The Leafs started slow, Reimer gave up some early ones. And he got better as the game went on. Toronto, however, could not pull this thing off, ending up 3-2. Carlyle did the right thing after, placing the blame on the Leafs slow start. Obvious, but it had to be addressed.

And that problem carried over to the next game. A slow start, a rebound, and a 3-2 lead by the opposition, The Leafs pulled Jonathan for the extra attacker late and tied it. Then they survived an OT which featured a lot of three on three action due to some offsetting minors and other extracurricular activity. Toronto survived that, but Bernier went 0-3 in the shootout!

Now, Carlyle gave Bernier another chance at redemption against the Rangers. It was a narrow 5-4 win this time. Leafs played better, but seemed to be in a mode of not holding on to leads and letting New York back in it. They managed to pull it out in overtime, which was good. Bernier played better than the four goals allowed, but what about Ottawa on Sunday?

It was back to Reimer.

Again, the Leafs played a game of too-close-for-comfort. They came out on top 5-3. But the next game would be a real test. It was against Boston.

Toronto stormed out, however, and surged ahead with four second period goals to Boston's one. That turned a 1-0 lead into a 5-1 lead. The Bruins might have had ideas of a comeback (as if they haven't before, right?) but a sixth Toronto goal stopped that. Bernier didn't have too busy a night. He faced only 26 shots and turned away all but one.

The win is one to ponder for Toronto. They controlled the action against one of the league's better teams. Bernier had a rare easy night, by this team's standards. Phil Kessel and his mates had a strong game at both ends as Toronto was three for four on the powerplay and killed off all of Boston's powerplays. This has been Toronto's real problem this season.

Funny, though, look what happens with a better effort up front? And hey, did you see Reimer and Kessel smiling on the bench? Kessel didn't get the hattrick. Reimer didn't get the start. But when things are clicking, it's all smiles, right?

Bernier's numbers are a little off from last year. His save percentage was .917 this year compared to .923 and .922 the two previous years. Most expect him to come around. At least those numbers. Amazingly enough, for all his greatness last year, his goals-against average was 2.68. This year, it's actually also down, to 2.57. But that's what you wanted to see, right?

Reimer, remember, got off to a hot start last year, then lost his confidence. But, being such a high-class individual, he handled it well. His decision to withdraw his trade request looks to have paid dividens for Toronto. Right now, his save percentage of .925 is higher than in any previous season. I actually expect him to get a lot of playing time with those numbers. Reimer has a higher GAA than Bernier, but his W-L-T record is 4-2-0 and Bernier's is 5-3-2. So it's pretty even.

The real controversial issue here is the men in front of these two goalies. Sometimes, it's easy to have confidence when you know you are going to play. Even there, though, do you want to face such an onslaught. The Leafs have some great offence, truth be told. But Toronto has problems on defence, and Carlyle has some difficult decisions to make in regards to his 'tenders. For instance, he started Bernier against Pittsburgh earlier this season, instead of Reimer, who has a far better record. The Leafs next game, coincidentally, is against the Pens. The Leafs will need all the offence and defence they can muster. And in goal you have to expect another 30 + shots. Always amazes me that Bernier and Reimer go in net, knowing what they are up against. If the Leafs could fix that problem, then we wouldn't be here talking about goaltending. At least, not as much.


References


“Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.  <https://www.nhl.com>.

Langlois, Michael. Vintage Leaf Memories - Michael Langlois, Blogger. Web. 13 Nov. 2014, http://www.vintageleafmemories.com/.

The Leafs: Are The Not Really That Good?

The Toronto Maple Leafs play before the Olympic break was making believers out of the most hardened skeptics. But then, when everyone came back, has reality ever stepped in!

Finally, a win over the Rangers last night stopped the bleeding. But, did you see those two shorthanded goals? Ouch!

Their loss to Columbus three days ago wasn't too bad. But with that, Toronto were winless in three games. For a while, it even looked like they'd fail to score a goal. There were chances a-plenty, loose pucks a-plenty (including one of the goal line). They were only outshot 33-29. But, just as a win is a win, a loss is a loss!

In the loss to the New York Islanders, the Leafs started strong, scoring the game's first goal. But then, the Leafs fell flat the rest of the first period, surrendering two short-handed goals (Hmmm, must be something about New York and shorthanded goals against. See the common denominator). A pretty good third period got them the point, but a loss in overtime stopped Toronto from getting two.

Against Montreal last Saturday, the Leafs started out slow, surrendering the game's first two goals in the first period. A goal late in the frame cut the margin to just one goal. And the Leafs deserve credit for tying it and sending it to overtime. But the Leafs lost the game there. And you'd have to be blind not to notice the obvious: Did Toronto not take far too many needless penalties?

Amazingly enough, despite getting no points in the loss to Columbus last night, I was actually impressed with the Leafs. But what I didn't see was the second period. That's where they lost the game. Toronto was outscored 2-0 and outshot 12-5. The third period was an improvement, as the Buds tallied the only goal, and were only outshot 13-12. The first period, which ended in a scoreless deadlock, saw Toronto outshoot the Blue Jackets 12-8. The Leafs need to do that more.

And they need more efforts like the one James Reimer had last night. Here was someone who stood on his head and gave the Leafs every chance to win. Did you see that sequence in the third? Was that not four saves while sprawled on the ground? Wouldn't that have made it 3-0, and taken Toronto out of the equation for an offence they mounted later?

Reimer, though needs to do that more often. Notice how he's sort of the Bret Saberhagen of hockey? Good on seasons that are odd numbered (or ending in odd numbers) then very inconsistent in seasons that have end in even numbers. You know, like the number 14 in the year 2014?

But why am I picking on Reimer, when it's really the guys in front of him to blame? Did I not mention how the Leafs don't need pyramids to be great this year. With Jonathan Bernier playing so great...

...Oh wait, here come the skeptics telling me who Jonathan was traded for. Oh, that guy who's leading the league in S% right now!

The other problem is Toronto really on has one line going for them. If they are going to get back to where they were, the need to have a more balanced attack. And they also need a more balanced defence. I couldn't help but think, when Reimer was making save, save, save, and save, "Now where are the other five Leafs to stop all these rebounds?" I know, your thought exactly. Cody Franson and Dion Phaneuf were both a minus one in that game. They throw five hits each, so the fault does not belong entirely to them. Jake Gardiner was a minus one as well, but he had three shots on goal. I guess, sometimes stats don't explain what the eyes see in a game!

With the win over New York, it was another fine effort by Bernier. You saw Toronto's strengths, there. But clearly, the Leafs' defence needs to play better. Reimer needs to be better. The power play has to be better. How many times have you heard about a team that needs to defend better when on the power play? What lead would be save with that kind of deficiency?

All of the above makes me wonder how good the Leafs overall goaltending and defence really are. And what former Leafs goalie is leading the NHL in S%?

Oh wait, I already brought that up!

Scrivens: Certainly Capable, Right?

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.

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/

Bernier And Scrivens: Now What?

I was surprised when the Kings traded Ben Scrivens to the Oilers for Double-D, Devan Dubnyk. I guess this is going to make the off-season trade of Jonathan Bernier for Scrivens all the more interesting. Life throws more than hockey pucks at you, I guess. Scrivens will be seeing as many if not more than Bernier for what could be forever.

In an event, I can't help but wonder if the rise of Martin Jones had anything to do with this. My gut feeling is "no", but remember when I said that we hadn't seen the last of him? I can safely say the other Jonathan, Quick, has his job still safe.

So what does this trade do for the Bernier and Scrivens situation? I guess it levels the playing field somewhat. Scrivens is clearly on the worse team now. The Leafs though, have relied heavily on Bernier and James Reimer to get them wins, especially in the shootout.

But now the door is open for Jones to play in Los Angeles, and Scrivens to become what Bernier and Reimer are, a game stealer.

But if that 1st game is any indication, Scrivens will have to be better. Stopping 29 of 33 pucks wasn't enough as the Oilers lost 4-1 to the Wild. But the fact that he started his first game available for Edmonton suggests that he will at least be the 1A goalie on the team. That obviously was not going to happen in Los Angeles with Quick playing so well.

And another thing about the Los Angeles situation: Scrivens was backed by good defence, so his goaltending would get overshadowed! Sort of like what is said about Martin Brodeur always having the Devil's D to insure a low shot total against. I never have believed that the defence makes the goalie look that good. I guess I am about to find out in Edmonton

But now Ben has a chance to become like what Jonathan Bernier is in Toronto. Now we find out if he was the product of good defence or he was just that good. Imagine a scenario where the Oilers suddenly put together a winning streak with Scrivens in net? Oh, he was the difference!

Bernier, by the way, has continued his strong play since my last post. Remember when I talked about him being a "stopper" of sorts for the Leafs? As in losing streak stopper?

Toronto had lost 3 straight games when Bernier got the call against Washington. The Leafs seemed to play with confidence and poise in this game, and Jonathan kicked away 32 of 35 pucks. It wasn't enough to stop the losing streak, but you kinda got the feeling the Leafs were back on track. The feeling was that if Bernier could play a little better, and the Leafs could play like they did against Washington, the losing streak was over.

Sure enough, Bernier stopped 36 of 38 shots against facing the Devils. The Leafs won the game in, you guessed it, a shootout. Then came Boston.

You know, the team that came back against the Leafs in game 7 from last year's Stanley Cup playoff? The Bruins looked like they were going to do that again. Again in Boston. But Bernier made sure it didn't happen and Toronto skated off with a 4-3 win and a 2-game winning streak. A strong performance by a suddenly confident Reimer made it a 3 game winning streak against Buffalo.

Your turn, Scrivens!

See you after game 82!

Bernier And Scrivens: After 41 Games

So who has won the deal between the Kings and the Leafs? Bernier with all those acrobatic saves? Scrivens, leading the National Hockey League in S% and second in shutouts?

Is is just too early?

Well today's shootout win by the Leafs was in game #42, so that is beyond the scope of this post.

It's hard not to notice Bernier. Standing on his head, 40 + times a night. The puck never makes it out of the Leafs zone. Leafs end up winning.

Splitting the duties with James Reimer (but actually having appeared in 10 more games) Bernier has posted a .930 S%, having turned away 847 of 911 shots. Gotta be something fitting about 911 shots against. I think they've just been robbed!

Anyways, looking more closely, we see Jonathan has faced 40 or more shots 6 times, including 50 in a win over Dallas on Dec. 5th. What impresses me is, the only game he has lost in regulation when facing 40 + shots a night was October 19th vs. Chicago. Bernier is 3-1-2 in games that 40 pucks were on net.

He's also sort of been like a stopper for the Leafs this year. December was supposed to be a rough road for the Leafs, but Bernier went 4-4-2 that month. If that's as bad as it gets...

But what about Scrivens? With another Jonathan (Quick) hurt, the Kings have quickly turned to both him and Martin Jones.

Jones has played well, but Scrivens has played more games this year. So he is the "main man" in the Los Angeles crease until Quick returns.

Jones, it should be noted, has posted a 8-2-0 record with 1.29 GAA. Martin also has a S% of .955 and 3 shutouts. He does not have enough games played at this moment to qualify for the GAA or S% lead.

And it's not as if Ben Scrivens hasn't had some eye popping performances to rival Jonathan Bernier:

What about stopping a combined 53 shots in a back-to-back shutout performances against the Devils and Rangers Nov 15th and 17th?

How about 32 of 33 saves in an OT loss to Colorado on November 23rd?

Stopping 37 of 39 shots two days later against Vancouver in a win?

And then 38 of 40 against the Sharks November 27th?

Now the wheels have come off the chariot as of late. Scrivens has lost his last 3 games. But in only 18 games, he finds himself on top of the NHL in S% (.936), 3rd in GAA (1.84) and 2nd in SO (3).

I am convinced, based on what I saw of him last year with the Leafs (and the numbers Ben has put up this year with the Kings) that he could be a number one goalie on an NHL team.

Bernier, of course, I'm sold on. So who has won the deal?

To be honest with you, I lean towards "too early to tell." And it is worth noting that the Leafs also gave the Kings Matt Frattin in the deal. He's just come back after missing the last 5 games due to injury. Matty has 2 goals, 4 assists and is a minus 7. He averages about 13 minutes per game. So at this point Frattin is merely a footnote to the goalie-for-goalie deal.

No hockey team can win without goaltending. And both of these guys have helped their respected teams in situations that really require them. Bernier catches the eye of the viewer. Scrivens catches the eye of the stats lover.

How about I come back after 41 more games? Or, the playoffs?


References


"Official Site of the National Hockey League” | NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. Jan 1. 2014. <https://www.nhl.com>

Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. Jan 1. 2014.