Elliott vs. Johnson

[tvp2003]

For all the armchair coaches on CP: what do you make of our goalie situation? It's been a strange year to say the least:

- Elliott has won three in a row after a stretch that includes a personal six game losing streak

- Johnson has lost three in a row after a six game winning streak (which capped off his red-hot 11-2-0 run that started on Nov 15)

The easy pick is to ride Elliott, but has he really been the better goalie? His last three wins have been against Arizona, Vancouver and Colorado (the worst teams in the NHL). Meanwhile, Johnson has had to play Tampa, Columbus, and San Jose. Johnson also has the better body of work this season (13-4-1 before dropping his last three) and has been the steadier of the two (Elliott was clearly fighting the puck earlier in the year).

Assuming Elliott gets the start against Anaheim, I can see this being a pivotal game in the goalie battle. If Elliott wins and plays well, it'll likely be his net until he falters. If he loses, it might be Johnson's turn to go on a run against the soft teams (Arizona, Colorado, Vancouver back-to-back).

[MJK]

I like what I have seen from Johnson more. I feel more comfortable with him in the net.

[Vinny01]

I feel more comfortable with Johnson in net as he seems to let in less weak/unlucky goals. Elliott has been winning though so I understand riding him.

[keenan87]

I would put Johnson in net for Anaheim and Elliott in for Arizona... both goalies face teams that they have recently faced and a chance for both to grow their confidence.

[bubbsy]

johnson seems to have come back to earth over the last few starts.

Elliott has given up a goal you'd like to have back each game but other than that has done well enough to get the team Ws. Mind you the wins are against some of the worst teams/offenses in the league (yotes, nucks, avs).

i think you gotta ride elliott until he has an actual bad game.

[FlamesAddiction]

I don't think in general you need to name an official "starting" goalie. You just go with the one that is doing well at the moment (including games and practices). Some goalies also seem to do better with limited games, so even if their numbers look better, it isn't a good idea to ride them for long.

I get the need to plan ahead for schedule purposes (some goalies may play better against different teams or types of players), but unless you have a top 5 goalie, I don't like awarding one the bulk of the games by default. Alternate and keep the internal competition alive. It seems to me that teams that don't have a top 5 goalie do better when they implement a 1A/1B system rather than using a designated starter/back-up system.

The Flames coaches do seem to be managing the goalies in this fashion now and the results are getting better, so I think we should stick with it.

[Geeoff]

I don't think either of our goalies will start more than 55 games

[EldrickOnIce]

One guy has won 3 in a row.
One guy has lost 3 in a row.
Hardly takes a genius to figure this out right now.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Good topic of discussion. I feel like this is a scenario where riding the winning goalie is perhaps too simplistic.

The coaching staff get paid for their hockey insight and anticipation, not just for correctly identifying the last goaltender to win. Same as the stock market - can't just be reactionary, you need to anticipate strong performers.

While Elliott hasn't been horrible, he has by no means been lights out, and has let in quite a few questionable goals. Given the option of turning to Johnson, I'd expect that Johnson will start soon regardless of wins or losses, unless Elliott starts the next game and comes out with a spectacular performance.

[kukkudo]

Are the days of a 40W goalie over?

[Gaskal]

As a whole I prefer Johnson, his positioning overall is better even though he's been guilty lately of being too deep in his crease on point shots.

[N-E-B]

Overall I would prefer Johnson but I think right now you have to ride Elliott.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

Are the days of a 40W goalie over?

No, you just need to have a good enough goalie and most teams don't.

[Erick Estrada]

We all know where this is going. Fans are fickle and always love the backup quarterback/goaltender.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

We all know where this is going. Fans are fickle and always love the backup quarterback/goaltender.

Who is the backup?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

One guy has won 3 in a row.
One guy has lost 3 in a row.
Hardly takes a genius to figure this out right now.

Normally I'd agree with you but not necessarily in this instance. Elliot 'has won' 3 in a row, but look at those three wins, Arizona, Vancouver and Colorado.

Hes still making the same little mistakes.

I'd say if you're going up against a decent team you go with Johnson.

Elliot played steady, but he was still letting in at least one muffin per game. He has to make the saves hes expected to make.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

Are the days of a 40W goalie over?

would not be surprised if there is a 40 win goalie this year; 4 goalies with a decent shot at it

[flamesforcup]

Johnson's been better but if Elliot bounces back he has higher potential. Sort of how Hamilton has been better than Brodie but if Brodie bounces back (which it seems like he is) he will be better.

[calgaryblood]

Elliott looks small in net and let in two average to weak goals last night. He's been extremely lucky with his competition in these 3 games and still let in a few softies. He loses his net often and over commits and leaves half the net open.

I think Elliott has let in more soft goals in the last 3 games than Johnson has in the prior 10-12.

I think Johnson is the much better goalie.

[sixpacked]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Elliott looks small in net and let in two average to weak goals last night. .

Which ones were average to weak?? A shot off post and in, Iginla top shelf salpper......?