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Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
 Posted - 03/06/2010 : 11:28:00 PM
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| Which goalie do you go with in the playoffs, and why? |
www.twitter.com/donhelbig |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2010 : 11:36:58 PM
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Honestly, they are both young and neither have done a good job of playing long stretches but seem to excel in the rotation that Chuck is utilizing.
Chuck has already indicated that he'll most likely go with the hot goalie and that goalie will play until he loses. I'm just fine with that regardless of whether it's Mayer or Smith. However, Chuck has played match up with the goalies against certain teams, so it would surprise me if the aforementioned game plan gets tossed and we see Mayer against K-zoo or SC if we see them and Smith against Wheeling if we see them.
I really don't care as long as the boys can string together the required 15 wins. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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Cyclonesfan
(Rookie)
12 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2010 : 12:49:20 AM
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| I like Smith more. |
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Hockey Traveller
(The Next Level!)
134 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2010 : 12:53:50 AM
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| For the most part, I don't think a shared goalie situation in the playoffs lends itself to a successful playoff run. I agree with Weber that it's a good idea to go with the hot hand and hope that he can carry the team the distance. If both "hands" are hot, it will be a tough decision. If neither is hot, it won't matter, as the boys won't be playing many games. |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2010 : 10:30:21 AM
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OK, enough HRC, that last line was not needed. HT asks a legitimate question and then you have to add a jab in which has the potential of blowing this thread up.
HT is right in regards to a true alternating system, it really doesn't foster the urgency to win that the playoffs require.
HTC is correct in that both the Cyclones in 08 and SC in 09 used a platoon type system riding a goalie until he lost. The Cyclones were forced to use Max Daigneault in the early rounds because Cedrick was in Hamilton. However, even after Cedrick arrived back in Cincinnati he sat until Max lost a game. SC had 2 very capable goalies and employed the same "it's your team until you lose it" strategy.
In the playoffs, there needs to be a sense of urgency, you can't wait to win tomorrow. As I mentioned, Chuck has alluded to starting the hot hand but I should have mentioned that at that same Coach's Show discussion he also said that whom ever he went with would carry the team until he loses. That is how you can create urgency while still having a goalie rotation.
The Cyclones will likely not be in the same situation as they were in 08 nor do they really compare to last years SC team. While both Cyclone netminders are putting up solid numbers in the regular season, they are untested in the post season. How the to young goalies handle the playoff pressure will be the key to how far the team can ride either of them.
If had to pick one, it would be Smith. He seems to be the more consistent of the two. Mayer is great when he is on his game but he is also more likely to throw out the "stinker" game which can put a team behind the eight ball early and that can't happen in the playoffs. If both goalies are hot down the stretch I think it will come down to which is competing hardest at practice, but it wouldn't surprise me if the match-up end up having something to do with Chuck's decision. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2010 : 12:05:05 PM
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Since both are rookies, I go for alternate. It does seem a two-two game
rotation works good but the third game for either is shakey. Bottom line
is an early hook if three goals allowed in first period. |
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Primis
(Finally Got A Star!)
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2010 : 09:35:38 AM
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If I were you guys I'd just go with Mayer until he gives you reason not to.
Mayer seems slightly better now. However, I think Smith still has more long-term potential and room to grow. More upside, if you will.
Mayer seems more-consistent in what I've seen of him though, and I think he puts himself in better position slightly more-often to make the save compared to Smith. This is a good year for you guys to just plain go for the Kelly Cup, the rest be-damned.
I wouldn't feel bad with either in net though. It's a good problem to have. Just hope that Mayer doesn't get a late-season/playoff call-up and wreck it all... |
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 12:41:43 PM
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I think the key to good goal tending is 1) being in the right position to have the best chance of blocking the shot, and then 2) having the athletic skills to react and move from that position when necessary as the puck is shot, and 3) controlling rebounds. In the beginning of the year Mayer was like G man last year and would position himself fine but then just stay there. he was blocking shots but not making saves. Smith was not as good in his positioning but showed better reaction to the shot and control of rebounds. Mayer has made great strides during the year and i think you could flip a coin now.
I haven't gone back and looked at the data, but it seems to me that both have suffered in the second game of back to back nights. Could be physical or just the mental part of doing that in goal. Have always felt going with the hot one was a better choice but if there are back to back games scheduled in the playoffs we might consider alternating. |
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 1:37:48 PM
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Went and looked at the data. There have been 23 times this year we have played back to back nights with these two goalies. When the same goalie plays both nights we have won the second game four times and lost four times. The goals against in the second game though is 3.25 vs 2.8 in the first game--up nearly half a goal. The last three times a goalie has played back to back nights for us they have given up four goals in the first games and 14 in the second!!
When we use different goalies each night, we are 9-6 in the second games but more importantly our goals against in the second game is down .8 goals per game from the first night's goals against. In the last six times we have used different goalies the goals against on the first night is 3.5 and the other goalie follows that the next night with a GOAA of 2.00.
Thus for back to back games with the same goalie, the second game is worse and getting worse recently. With different goalies, the second game is much better and getting even better recently. At 20 years old and their first long pro season with travel etc taking its toll, looks very much like the same goalie is mentally tired the next night while the other one is sharp and ready to go. I am not one that is usually high on statistics but these show big differences between the two strategies. |
Edited by - dbc on 03/09/2010 1:54:37 PM |
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Hockey Traveller
(The Next Level!)
134 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 7:34:49 PM
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Another key to good goaltending is having a good defense to clear out the rebounds. Okay, I know that's out of the goalies' control. But sometimes GAA and save pct. can be misleading depending on what kind of D they have playing in front of them. Obviously the GAA and save pct. will be worse if the goalie has to make multiple saves, as opposed to having the puck cleared after the first save.
Nice research on the back to back night numbers. If the same goalie played both games of back-to-back nights all season, the question could be asked if it was the goalie who was tired, or the defense. But your numbers show a marked difference when a guy doesn't have to play both ends of back-to-back nights. |
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