The Puck Stops Here

steve laidlaw

2014-10-21

CraigAnderson

This week, we’ll take a look at the early returns from the goaltenders of the Eastern Conference.

I know it’s very early, but it’s never too early to analyze how your ‘tenders are faring.

Buffalo Sabres

Many expected Michal Neuvirth to at least split with Jhonas Enroth if not outright win the number one spot in Buffalo. That hasn’t happened so far this season; Enroth has started five of six games and has one win against four losses. His goals-against average of 3.35 and save percentage of 0.907 would help put your fantasy goaltending among the worst in your league. The only thing going for a Sabres goaltender is if you need saves; Enroth is tied for the most shots against (183) in the NHL and his 166 saves are second only to Jonathan Quick. Neuvirth has played in only one game and has a 0.886 save percentage and goals-against average over five. Either of this tandem should only be owned in the deepest of leagues.

Boston Bruins

Tuukka Rask is off to a slow start, but as with most goalies, he is in large part a reflection of the team in front of him. Back-up Niklas Svedberg has looked very good in stopping 62 of 64 shots (0.943 save percentage) and holds a stellar 0.91 goals-against average. That said, his two starts came against teams that sit 28th (Avs) and 29th (Sabres) in goals scored per game. The loss of defenseman Johnny Boychuk does hurt a little, but there is no doubt that Rask and the Bruins will turn this around and end up amongst the league’s best.

Carolina Hurricanes

After only four games, it does indeed appear that Anton Khudobin will win the ‘Canes crease battle. I know it’s early, but when you combine last season with this year’s early returns and it’s looking pretty clear who is ultimately going to win this battle.

2014-15	GP	W	L	OTL	Shots Against	Saves	GAA	SV%
Cam Ward	2	0	1	1	52	44	3.88	0.846
Anton Khudobin	2	0	1	1	65	60	2.43	0.923

2013-14	GP	Wins	Losses	OTL	Shutouts	GAA	SV%
Cam Ward	30	10	12	6	0	3.06	0.898
Anton Khudobin	36	19	14	1	1	2.30	0.926

Columbus Blue Jackets

Heading into this season, there were high hopes for Sergei Bobrovsky. Then came injuries to Brandon Dubinsky, Nathan Horton and Boone Jenner, to go along with the Ryan Johansen contract distraction. Many poolies lost a little faith in the Blue Jackets ability to win games and may have lowered Bob’s value, I know I did. His 3-2-0 record understates just how good his numbers have been so far this year. All praise Bob.

Season	GP	Wins	Losses	OTL	Shutouts	GAA	SV%
2012-13	38	21	11	6	4	2.00	0.932
2013-14	58	32	20	5	5	2.38	0.923
2014-15	5	3	2	0	0	2.00	0.931

Detroit Red Wings

In doing some pre-season preparation, I read that Jimmy Howard said he is finally feeling healthy again. Of course that means the Hockey Gods will be looking to smite Mister Howard, which they have done now that he’s out with a groin tweak. Howard’s numbers in the two years prior to last season’s were excellent. Providing there is no lingering issue with his groin, look for Howard to have a much improved season.

Season	GP	Wins	Losses	OTL	Shutouts	GAA	SV%
2011-12	57	35	17	4	6	2.12	0.921
2012-13	42	21	13	7	5	2.13	0.923
2013-14	51	21	19	11	2	2.66	0.910
2014-15	4	2	1	1	0	1.72	0.934

Florida Panthers

Season	GP	Wins	Losses	OTL	Shutouts	GAA	SV%
2010-11	18	11	5	1	2	2.05	0.939
2011-12	63	33	22	6	3	2.83	0.914
2012-13	24	24	12	9	2	1.69	0.941
2013-14	53	25	16	8	4	3.00	0.911
2014-15	3	2	1	0	1	2.01	0.939

Robin Lehner

Season	GP	Wins	Losses	OTL	Shutouts	GAA	SV%
2010-11	8	1	4	0	0	3.52	0.888
2011-12	5	3	2	0	1	2.01	0.935
2012-13	12	5	3	4	0	2.20	0.936
2013-14	36	12	15	6	1	3.06	0.913
2014-15	2	0	0	0	0	1.92	0.950

Philadelphia Flyers

Last season, the Flyers got off to a very slow start, yet Steve Mason had goals-against averages of 2.25 and 1.94 in the months of October and November. He also posted save percentages of 0.928 and 0.938 respectively. He finished 2013-14 with a 2.50 goals-against average and 0.917 save percentage. After his first four games of this season, he has a 0-2-1 record with a 3.78 goals-against average and 0.865 save percentage. The bad news Philly fans, is that Ray Emery is not going to take over the number one role, not even temporarily. The good news is that it shouldn’t get any worse than it is right now.

Pittsburgh Penguins

For all the grief Marc-Andre Fleury gets, he sure has put up some consistent numbers over the last four campaigns. Of course, it’s his performances in the playoffs that have caused so much angst for Pens fans. Since winning the Cup, Fleury rattled off four straight post-seasons of less than 0.900 save percentage. Last year’s playoffs were statistically better, winning seven, losing six, while posting a 2.40 goals-against average and a 0.915 save percentage. He has started all four Pens games this season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. Fleury does have limited no move and no trade clauses, so it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Season	GP	Wins	Losses	OTL	Shutouts	GAA	SV%
2010-11	65	36	20	5	3	2.32	0.918
2011-12	67	42	17	4	3	2.36	0.914
2012-13	33	23	8	0	1	2.39	0.916
2013-14	64	39	18	5	5	2.37	0.915
2014-15	4	3	1	0	0	2.50	0.915

Tampa Bay Lightning

Big Ben Bishop is off to a very good start with a 3-1-1 record. His goals-against average is 1.97 and he has a 0.921 save percentage. Last season was his first as a starter in the NHL and he posted some great numbers. In addition to a 37-14-7 record, he had a 2.23 goals-against average and 0.924 save percentage. Tampa is an up and coming team that should be fighting for bragging rights at the top of the Eastern Conference by the end of the season, although losing Victor Hedman for the next four to six weeks will hurt in the short term. Evgeni Nabokov moves into the back-up role from a starting gig on Long Island. He’s started one game this season, allowing two goals on 25 shots (0.920 save percentage).

Toronto Maple Leafs

I’ve heard that some people are trying to convince us that there may be a goaltender controversy brewing in Toronto. Even if the early season numbers do suggest that possibility, I just don’t see it happening. With the way Jonathan Bernier played last season, the Maple Leafs are going to give the 26-year-old a long leash. Last year, Bernier faced the seventh most amount of shots in the league, yet he posted a fine 0.923 save percentage. He is scheduled to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, so he’s also playing for a new contract.

2013-14	GP	Wins	Losses	OTL	Shutouts	GAA	SV%
Jonathan Bernier	4	0	2	1	0	3.34	0.906
James Reimer	3	2	1	0	0	2.87	0.906

Washington Capitals

Many of the “experts” predicted a rebound year for Braden Holtby. I’d like to put myself in that group. The addition of Barry Trotz and new goaltending coach, Mitch Korn were the biggest reasons. What I liked was that Holtby’s save percentage in the NHL has never been worse than last season’s 0.915, when the team tried to change Holtby’s approach to playing the position. Korn is considered one of the best in the business and the writing was on the wall for Holtby to rebound this season.

Season	GP	Wins	Losses	OTL	Shutouts	GAA	SV%
2010-11	14	10	2	2	2	1.79	0.934
2011-12	7	4	2	1	1	2.50	0.922
2012-13	36	23	12	1	4	2.58	0.920
2013-14	48	23	15	4	4	2.85	0.915
2014-15	4	2	0	1	1	1.85	0.932

Justin Peters will not challenge Holtby for the number one job. Peters has played in two games, has a miniscule 1.49 goals-against average and 0.919 save percentage.