Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
So we have a stat here - on the PK, the Flames give up a fair number of shots, but Rittich's numbers are awesome - so the question is: what should we conclude from that?
Does it suggest that, on the PK, Rittich suddenly ups his game and becomes the best goalie in the league, then settles back into his normal self, post-PK?
Or does it maybe suggest the Flames are giving up a fair number of shots, but the shots aren't all that dangerous overall, compared to other teams, allowing Rittich to put up best-in-the-league numbers?
For me, the latter explanation is far more likely and plausible.
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I think there's some truth to that. For example, we're 19th in CA/60 but 11th in xGA/60, so we're allowing lower-than-average shot quality. And I think that shot quality stats are definitely far from perfect. There's quite likely something good defensively that we're doing that's not being totally captured.
It's also possible that Rittich's particular skillset is better suited to stopping the type of shots that happen on a powerplay rather than 5v5. Or it could be random statistical fluctuation, and by the end of the season Rittich's PK numbers will be weaker but his 5v5 numbers will be stronger.
The numbers do point to our PK being more driven by goaltending than by the skaters in front of him, but there's enough room for error that it's hardly conclusive.