Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
The other variable on special teams is compensating for goaltending. A team that knows their goaltender will make every save he can see (Kiprusoff days), can play a much different style than a team that feels they have to over compensate for a guy that they have little faith in.
No coincidence that the Flames PK was dead last until Ramo found it, and then brutal again in the last three games with Ramo out for the season.
No trust.
Hockey is a position game, and if you don't trust your teammates to do their jobs you get pulled out of the spot you should be in creating holes and opportunities.
But coaches rarely hang their goaltenders out to dry, ... I think only MacTavish had that angle and it did little good for him. I'm guessing behind closed doors they all agree that goaltending is killing them this season.
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The reverse is even more true. If the goalie has no confidence the seems are covered he'll cheat and get scored on (playing deep in the net when puck is at the point and cheating towards the far side when in tight).
It's chicken and egg and I don't think the terrible defending has gotten as much play as the terrible goaltending