Should Johnson or Elliott Start Game 4?

[Vinny01]

Johnson saved the season once when the team was at a low point I think they should give him a chance to do it again

[Azhouse]

Choking out in the playoffs the way Elliott has done will cost him millions of dollars and has lowered his potential term.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Gillies

Neither Elliott nor Johnson are a long term solution for us, and we really have nothing to lose at this point. It's time for us to find out what Jon Gillies is capable of at the NHL level.

Poor choice of words. If we lose the next game we are out the playoffs, so yes we have everything to lose with this next game. This isn't the end of the season where a win or a loss doesn't effect the standings. If the Flames go into the next game with this attitude then it's already lost. While many fans may have checked out of this series I would hope the coach and team haven't when it comes to the playoffs.

[genetic_phreek]

Elliott worse save percentage and GAA. As a team the Flames are in the middle of the pack for goals for, shots for, and shots against.

I say start Johnson. He has no playoff starts but he also doesn't have a losing playoff record.

Gillies has been a part of big tourneys and arguably led Providence to win a national title.

Elliott has a horrendous playoff record so for us to think he could take us to the promise land is ridiculous.

But let's see if Gully has the kahuna's to start one of Johnson/Gillies over Elliott.

[Burninator]

I think the Flames will play Elliott. Johnson hasn't won a game since late February and has played little over the past couple months. I think the risk / reward for starting Elliott over Johnson is in Elliott's favour. Meaning I think the chances of Elliott having a good game is higher than what we would get out of Johnson (who could have a shaky start costing us the game early). I doubt they are even considering Gillies....to even sit on the bench as a backup.

[Roof-Daddy]

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by Burninator

I think the Flames will play Elliott. Johnson hasn't won a game since late February and has played little over the past couple months. I think the risk / reward for starting Elliott over Johnson is in Elliott's favour. Meaning I think the chances of Elliott having a good game is higher than what we would get out of Johnson (who could have a shaky start costing us the game early). I doubt they are even considering Gillies....to even sit on the bench as a backup.

This is variable that could happen or not happen at all.

What is not a variable is that Elliott has already had shaky starts which did cost us the game. So if anything I'd say it's more risk/reward is in favor of Johnson. He's an unknown at this point so we really cannot determine how he would do in the playoffs where as with Elliott, we know what he is in the playoffs. Worst save %, worst GAA, 15-22 lifetime record in post season.

[calgaryred]

I rarely blame losses on a goalie, but Elliot's worst game was game 3. He never had a difficult shot all game yet let in 5. I don't blame the OT goal it's a fluke play. Still you let in 4 goals!!!!! Elliot you didn't need to steal the game just save basic shots! I haven't been this critical on a goalie in a series since Kidd in 95.

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[ComixZone]

@Kristen_Odland

Flames goalie coach Jordan Sigalet having a long chat with Brian Elliott to start today's optional. Johnson & Gillies also cruising around.

Jordan: "Hey Brian, nice work last night...so what are your summer plans? Dallas? Back to St. Louis? Maybe Tampa could use a backup"

Brian: "...just leave me alone Jordan."

Jordan: "Well, hey - if they need a goalie coach...put in a good word for me?"

...or something or whatever.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by calgaryred

I rarely blame losses on a goalie, but Elliot's worst game was game 3. He never had a difficult shot all game yet let in 5. I don't blame the OT goal it's a fluke play. Still you let in 4 goals!!!!! Elliot you didn't need to steal the game just save basic shots! I haven't been this critical on a goalie in a series since Kidd in 95.

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its a shot from the boards and he puts the rebound into the slot

[Racki]

Originally Posted by dino7c

its a shot from the boards and he puts the rebound into the slot

Exactly, just like the first goal. Those shots are muffins and 99% of starting NHL goalies swallow up both of those shots and do not allow a rebound at all.

I felt like he was a UFC fighter that was subconsciously looking for a way out so he allowed himself to be choked so he could tap.

He was mentally defeated by what had transpired throughout that game.

[TrevorKidd37]

For those defending Elliott, clearly you dont know a whole lot about rebound control. Brian has struggled with this all season. You cannot give up a goal, like the first goal scored on him last night. He faced a textbook wrist shot from just over the blueline and kicked out a huge rebound. The same thing happened in Game 1, as well as the 'home and home' against the Ducks at the end of the season.

If we look at the starting goalies in this years playoffs, who would take Elliott over any of the other 15 tenders? There is a reason Elliott is the age he is and hasn't established himself as a 'true' starting goalie. We took a chance on him this season at a relatively low cost; it did not work, and luckily we will be able to move on at the seasons end.

With potentially 1 game left in the season, i'd turn to Johnson or Gillies for Game 4. Sure, Johnson seems like the obvious choice, but consider that Gillies has been playing much more of late, and also is a big reason that Stockton snuck into the playoffs. That said, i'd lean towards Gillies for Game 4

[Igottago]

Johnson without a doubt. The Flames will be more confident with a new netminder. Elliott had his chance and put this team in peril with two disastrous performances. There is absolutely no reason to go with him again.

[dammage79]

Call me crazy, but I'd start Gillies , get Janko up for the game, get Lazar in and see if somespark can come of it.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Call me crazy, but I'd start Gillies , get Janko up for the game, get Lazar in and see if somespark can come of it.

You're crazy

[skudr248]

#### it put gillies in and see what happens

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by skudr248

#### it put gillies in and see what happens

Yuuuuuuup

[automaton 3]

I'd go with Gillies and see what the kid can do. The Ducks have done their homework on Elliott and Johnson looked shaky in his last starts.

Nothing to lose at this point.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

This is variable that could happen or not happen at all.

What is not a variable is that Elliott has already had shaky starts which did cost us the game. So if anything I'd say it's more risk/reward is in favor of Johnson. He's an unknown at this point so we really cannot determine how he would do in the playoffs where as with Elliott, we know what he is in the playoffs. Worst save %, worst GAA, 15-22 lifetime record in post season.

I just think it's more likely that Elliott bounces back than getting much of a game from a cold goalie in an elimination game at home.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Nothing to lose at this point.

Except the confidence of a young goaltender with one game of NHL experience, thrust into a series-deciding playoff game behind a demoralized team on the verge of being swept.