Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Is there a goalie for whom this isn't the book?
The way to play goal in the NHL is to be square to the play as much as possible, and play the percentages. A large portion of saves are simply positional (not reactive). Part of that is covering the lower part of the net. There is very little time and space in the NHL, so if the goalie stays square (to cover as much net as possible) and covers the ice from post to post, they maximize their likelihood of success.
That's step 1, as it were. Next is quickness, and being able to move post to post quickly and efficiently (without losing positioning). Rittich is elite in his ability to move and remain square and in control.
That is the best way to play goal these days it seems. And the way to score on a good positional goalie is to pick the corners.
I don't know if that is a book, so much as it is simply the only available choice: good goalie requires a well placed shot to score.
|
This is all true. I used to note this about Hiller when there were complaints about top corner goals ("seal off the post" they would say). Hiller was an odds goalie - he played percentages and blocked the puck. Ramo, of course was different - all reaction. So he looked like he was trying much harder and people liked him more, though his numbers were usually not as good.
Rittich is a good combo. Hiller didn't have the battle that Rittich does, and Ramo didn't have the positioning.
Smith IMO should be a position goalie given his size. But he is a reaction goalie, which served him OK as a younger man. That's why he is giving up 5 hole goals - he used to be able to react and close the hole in time. Now he can't.