2010-11 NHL Season: Top Goaltenders Returning to Form
Strong emphasis has been placed on goaltending in the NHL 2010-2011 season as Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers and Buffalo Sabres
rely heavily on Marc-Andre Fleury, Ondrej Pavelec and Ryan Miller.
While Jaroslav Halak (St. Louis Blues’ Goalie), Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens’ Goalie) and Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins’ Goalie) have been largely responsible for their teams' success this season, there are some teams who haven't been as lucky.
Three teams in particular made strenuous efforts early in the season but have only recently experienced some promising success due to their goaltenders' return to form:
Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh Penguins’ Goalie):
Marc-Andre Fleury and the Penguins have been red hot following a sluggish start. Fleury began 0-6 putting the Penguins in a hole to start the season. He had the worst goals against average and save percentage in the league at the start of this season. Fleury’s
early season struggle forced Brent Johnson (Penguins’ Goalie) into the starting role and he paced the Penguins to a 6-2 record with a 2.11 goals against average (GAA) and 9.27 save percentage (SV %).
While the Penguins were happy with Johnson's performance, they knew they would need Fleury to return to form for extended success this season. Sidney Crosby went so far as to call out Dan Bylsma for not starting Fleury. Since then, Fleury has been a rock
for the Penguins. He has posted a 7-0-1 record, 1.72 goals-against average and 0.942 save percentage over his past eight games. He has allowed two goals or less in six of his last eight games.
His eight-game unbeaten streak is tied for the four-longest unbeaten stretch of his career. Fleury made a season high 43 saves of 44 shots to pick up his eighth win of the year vs. Ottawa Senators on November 26. He stopped all 30 shots at Buffalo Sabres
on November 24 to record his 17th career shutout and first of the season. His recent hot streak has propelled the Penguins to fourth in the East with a 14-8-2 record, just three points behind the division leaders Philadelphia Flyers.
Ondrej Pavelec (Atlanta Thrashers’ Goalie):
Ondrej Pavelec experienced a fainting spell and collapsed on the ice in the first period of Thrashers' opening game. He struggled to find himself in the first few games of his return and has made his successful return in style. He posted his first shutout
of the season on November 19 vs. Washington Capitals (5-0).
He has stopped 154 of 157 shots (.981 SV %) over a career high five game winning streak and prior to the Boston Bruins' lone goal in the second period (November 28), had recorded 139:59 of shutout hockey (a season high). Pavelec compiled his second shutout
of the season (3-0) against Montreal Canadiens on November 26, which established his fourth straight win. He has seen action in Atlanta's last 12 games (November 4 - November 28) and in his last five starts, has allowed only three goals, including two shutouts.
He had been named NHL's 'First Star' for the period ending November 28 after stopping 97 of 99 shots en route to three consecutive home wins, which included a 3-0 shutout win over Montreal (November 26). As of November 28, Pavelec ranks third in the NHL
with a 1.62 GAA and a 0.949 save percentage. He continues to propel the Thrashers up the standings.
Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres’ Goalie):
Ryan Miller has made a remarkable difference. He had missed five games with a lower body (November 3 – November 30). The injury occurred earlier this season but Miller struggled playing through it and it clearly affected his performance. Miller returned
from injury to win the first two games in overtime (5 GA, 0.922 SV%, 2.33 GAA).
Miller made 35 saves of 36 shots on November 26, including 15 in the second period to lift the Sabres to a 3-1 win over visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. His 2.33 GAA and 0.922 SV% since his return have rescued a struggling Sabres' offense. Miller's absence
and slow start had the Sabres sitting near the bottom of the standings, while his return has raised the Sabres from 14th to 11th in the Eastern Conference and four points out of a playoff spot.
NHL’s emphasis on goaltendering:
While players like Brian Boucher, Chris Osgood and Jussi Markkanen have been largely responsible for their teams’ success, there are some teams which depend on their goaltenders. Penguins require the support from Marc-Andre Fleury to be the powerhouse they
are expected to be.
Sabres and Thrashers haven't experienced much success but it's becoming more and more evident that the success they have and will experience is dependent on the success of Miller and Pavelec, proving that there should still be emphasis placed on the goaltenders.
Tags: