Quote:
Originally Posted by Burning Beard
I think you touched on it a bit but the bad timing of goals against was a big problem this year for him. Not sure how that becomes a thing (confidence maybe) but man did he have a knack for letting pucks by at the worst times. I really hope he rebounds next season but I'm not optimistic about it.
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Yes. It was a thing that snowballed. The puck suppression game the Flames played all year but which had some really bad breakdowns early on didn't help. It was like he was aware the first chance he'd face was going to be a ten beller and he gripped extra hard. Self fulfilling prophesies and all that.
A quick look tells me his better performances were in higher shot count games. Last night the Preds led in shots after the first, or at least were close, and he got worked into the game better. Vancouver and Winnipeg were both good games for him and he faced 33 and 35 shots. LA win: 33. Minnesota shutout: 40. Toronto loss where he played well: 34. Conversely, his bad ones were all mid 20s. Chicago, Vancouver, LA, Dallas.
What does that mean for him? He has to get tougher when he's not worked - it has to be a focus and nerves thing.