Goaltending conundrum

[bustaheims]

I understand the decision but I think it absolutely sends the wrong message to Gus, who in mind mind has earned far more job security than he seems to have been given.

I'm sure Gustavsson is well aware of the standard shutout protocol. People really over-think how players look at things. They know how things work and, once the game ended on Wednesday, you can be pretty sure Gustavsson knew Reimer would be starting tomorrow. This has nothing to do with "job security," but, rather, with rewarding a strong performance.

 

[Zee]

Wilson's on notice now.  Win and he's godly, lose....

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Yeah, both goalies have been clear that it was going to be this way. In fact, they both were kind of hoping for a situation like the one they're in, where both goalies were playing well and pushing each other, they said as much at the start of the season. I agree with Busta here.

 

[Strangelove]

I understand the decision but I think it absolutely sends the wrong message to Gus, who in mind mind has earned far more job security than he seems to have been given.

I'm sure Gustavsson is well aware of the standard shutout protocol. People really over-think how players look at things. They know how things work and, once the game ended on Wednesday, you can be pretty sure Gustavsson knew Reimer would be starting tomorrow. This has nothing to do with "job security," but, rather, with rewarding a strong performance.

We just disagree philosophically here I guess.  In my mind the starter starts until he plays his way out of a job, unless he's being given a rest.  Since Gus has had his rest, I think you go back to him to see if Reimer's play motivates him to continue to excel.  Then give Reimer one of the games next week, maybe.  But to go back to Reimer right away gives Gus a mixed message - what if the former wins 5-3 and makes 30 saves?  Are you obligated to go back to him again because he won?

 

[bustaheims]

We just disagree philosophically here I guess.  In my mind the starter starts until he plays his way out of a job, unless he's being given a rest.  Since Gus has had his rest, I think you go back to him to see if Reimer's play motivates him to continue to excel.  Then give Reimer one of the games next week, maybe.  But to go back to Reimer right away gives Gus a mixed message - what if the former wins 5-3 and makes 30 saves?  Are you obligated to go back to him again because he won?

You really need a clearcut #1 guy to approach things that way, and, as good as Gustavsson was in January, he's still not that guy. One good month does not make you the #1 guy, and, the truth is, that's all Gustavsson really put forth. The rest of his season, in an overall sense, has been pretty mediocre. And yes, if Reimer wins 5-3 with 30 stops, you probably go back to him for the next game. There is no #1 goalie on this team right now, so, you play the "hot hand," which, as far as I'm concerned, is the goalie that played well enough to be a factor in the win their last start.

 

[riff raff]

We just disagree philosophically here I guess.  In my mind the starter starts until he plays his way out of a job, unless he's being given a rest.  Since Gus has had his rest, I think you go back to him to see if Reimer's play motivates him to continue to excel.  Then give Reimer one of the games next week, maybe.  But to go back to Reimer right away gives Gus a mixed message - what if the former wins 5-3 and makes 30 saves?  Are you obligated to go back to him again because he won?

You really need a clearcut #1 guy to approach things that way, and, as good as Gustavsson was in January, he's still not that guy. One good month does not make you the #1 guy, and, the truth is, that's all Gustavsson really put forth. The rest of his season, in an overall sense, has been pretty mediocre. And yes, if Reimer wins 5-3 with 30 stops, you probably go back to him for the next game. There is no #1 goalie on this team right now, so, you play the "hot hand," which, as far as I'm concerned, is the goalie that played well enough to be a factor in the win their last start.

I don't think Reimer has done enough to be the clearcut #1 either, so, it will hopefully be a guessing game from here on out as each goalie has a "hot hand".

Hopefully. ;D

 

[bustaheims]

I don't think Reimer has done enough to be the clearcut #1 either, so, it will hopefully be a guessing game from here on out as each goalie has a "hot hand".

Hopefully. ;D

Neither do I, which is exactly why I said the Leafs don't have a #1 goalie right now.

 

[Kin]

I'm fine with the concept of riding the hot hand but I think it's the goalie's performance that should be the determining factor rather than whether or not the team wins. The team's trying to win, not bolster Chris Osgood's case for the Hall.

 

[sneakyray]

I don't get the argument...

1 goalie loses 5-4 in a shootout letting in 3 goals in the last 10 minutes

1 goalie wins 1-0 getting the shutout against the same team (without offensive support BTW)

who earned the next game in a "win and your in" scenario?

 

[Zee]

I don't get the argument...

1 goalie loses 5-4 in a shootout letting in 3 goals in the last 10 minutes

1 goalie wins 1-0 getting the shutout against the same team (without offensive support BTW)

who earned the next game in a "win and your in" scenario?

That's one game.  If you look at Gustavsson's last 5 starts his stats are very good getting 3 wins and an OT loss, whereas in Reimer's last 5 starts he has the shutout, one good game and 3 really bad.

 

[Kin]

I don't get the argument...

1 goalie loses 5-4 in a shootout letting in 3 goals in the last 10 minutes

1 goalie wins 1-0 getting the shutout against the same team (without offensive support BTW)

who earned the next game in a "win and your in" scenario?

I have no problem with Reimer starting on Saturday, my comment was more about the general way the team should approach things going forward. Gus, for instance, played pretty well against Pittsburgh. That they didn't win isn't really on him as the goals against him are pretty tough to blame him for.

The extreme example of my point is that if one goalie wins 6-5 and the other loses 1-0 I'd be more inclined to go with the losing goalie if we're riding the hot hand.

 

[Bonsixx]

How anyone could have any issue with giving the guy who provided the team with the best stretch of goaltending since Belfour was here another start after he maybe, just maybe got a much-needed boost to his confidence by winning a 1-0 game is beyond me.

If Monster wanted the start, he probably should've covered that puck the other night instead of spazzing out.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

It's official. With Reimer starting Turris couldn't be happier for Saturday.

 

[Kin]

How anyone could have any issue with giving the guy who provided the team with the best stretch of goaltending since Belfour was here another start after he maybe, just maybe got a much-needed boost to his confidence by winning a 1-0 game is beyond me.

There may be some people who don't think all of the team's decisions should be based on what happened last game but, instead, may prefer an approach that balances that with foresight.

 

[maplesyrup]

I'm on Team Gus but even I agree with this decision.

I go both ways... BAZINGA! Seriously though, I'm behind both of them. Er, well, you know what I mean... 

 

[leafplasma]

I don't get the argument...

1 goalie loses 5-4 in a shootout letting in 3 goals in the last 10 minutes

1 goalie wins 1-0 getting the shutout against the same team (without offensive support BTW)

who earned the next game in a "win and your in" scenario?

The guy with 3 shutouts in January and just 2 minutes away from a fourth.  I think there is a no question who has the hot hand right now.  I like Reimer but that SO was a gift, that so easily could have been a 2-1 or 3-1 loss.  Reimer looked pretty shaky at times especially in the first two periods.  I never felt the confidence I have been feeling with Gus of late, right till the end of that game.

 

[leafplasma]

How anyone could have any issue with giving the guy who provided the team with the best stretch of goaltending since Belfour was here another start after he maybe, just maybe got a much-needed boost to his confidence by winning a 1-0 game is beyond me.

There may be some people who don't think all of the team's decisions should be based on what happened last game but, instead, may prefer an approach that balances that with foresight.

Right just like the Habs beating the Wings the other night 7-2.  Games happen and anybody with even a shred of a logical mind must look at a sample size that far surpasses a SO that was more of a fluke then anything.  I like Reimer, I like what he did last year but he started to fizzle in the last 20 and this year be it the injury or what have you it is what it is.  You can't help but pull for the guy though, he is just so likeable. However, Gus has kept us in this race and Gus can be a force when he is confident and right now he is, don't mess with that, exploit every last drop out of it.

 

[Redleaf]

Without a clear cut number one, we're running  with a goaltending tandem right now, and it seems to be working. I have no issues with going with either tender. I think Wilson will run with the most recent winner now and hopefully into the playoffs. If one really catches on fire he'll keep the net. Pretty simple really. I think Reimer needs to gain his confidence more than Gus does now so I'm in agreement with him getting the nod for tomorrow night.

 

[Tigger]

I'm in the Jonas camp as well but I don't mind Reimer getting another start.

 

[Bonsixx]

How anyone could have any issue with giving the guy who provided the team with the best stretch of goaltending since Belfour was here another start after he maybe, just maybe got a much-needed boost to his confidence by winning a 1-0 game is beyond me.

There may be some people who don't think all of the team's decisions should be based on what happened last game but, instead, may prefer an approach that balances that with foresight.

Of the two goalies in question, one provided us with the longest stretch of actual good goaltending in years. He then began this season with a shutout and all in all looked pretty good again until he got his head rocked. The last game showed the first glimpse of that solid goaltending possibly returning. I think you can base starting Reimer again Saturday on more than just the last result.