I have been encouraged to do this by people for some time now and finally was inspired to do it by an argument about the NHL with a good friend of mine. I like to think a know a good amount about the NHL and future NHL'ers so here is my attempt to inform you about this.
Moving on, let me tell you why the tandem of Tuukka Rask and Tim Thomas makes for the best goaltending in the NHL.
Before you try and disagree let's look at a few of Boston's numbers.
Goals Against in 08-09: 190 (2.32 per game) 1st
Goals Against in 09-10: 191 (2.33 per game) 2nd
Goals Against in 10-11: 23* (1.92 per game) 1st
Save % in 08-09: .925 1st
Save % in 09-10: .922 T-1st
Save % in 10-11: .942* 1st
*13 games into the current season
In 09-10 Tim Thomas injured his hip and was not fully healed until he underwent surgery this offseason. Even with this hip injury he had a 2.56 GAA and .915 SV% in 43 games. Tuukka Rask was the workhorse for the season, with a 1.97 GAA and a .931 SV%.
The main reason Boston was able to beat Buffalo in last years playoffs was because of Tuukka Rask outplaying the Vezina winner Ryan Miller in net.
With the Vezina caliber Tim Thomas in net backed up by one of the best young goaltenders in the league, Boston has a goal tending duo that is tops in the league.
With this tandem in net and the key acquisitions of Nathan Horton and Tyler Seguin providing goal scoring ability, Boston has a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs.
I see your point, but let me make a couple points here of my own.
ReplyDeleteFirst. Tim Thomas is 36, Tuukka is unproven. Also, Tim Thomas didn't break out until he was 33-34, why did it take him so long? His career is pretty much past him, how much longer can he last? Tuukka is gonna be great, but he's not yet. Has to get some grooming
Second, how many tandems win Stanley Cups? Goalies can't be splitting time in the playoffs, and who do you trust in net in the postseason? Tim won the Vezna but fell apart and Tuukka clearly wasn't ready for the pressure.
Also you might wanna fact check. You may want to note that Tim split the Jennings with Manny Fernandez, meaning Manny got enough playing time and good enough playing time to split the award with Thomas.
Also, last year's Jennings trophy winner was Marty Brodeur, with 191. Therefore, the number of 191 for Boston is wrong. According to hockeyreference.com, Boston has 200 goals against, which was still second place.
If you wanna get nit picky, Thomas and Rask combined for 188, not counting empty netters, and Marty and Danis combined for 184.
Other than that, good post, quick and to the point. But as journalist and a blogger to a fellow blogger, make sure you fact check.
http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BOS/2010.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_M._Jennings_Trophy
Dave-
ReplyDeleteTo your first point, Tim Thomas's age does not really matter to how good of a goaltender he is, and neither does when he came on the scene. Yes, he is getting older, but as he declines Tuukka would get more playing time (and hopefully get better as time goes on) to make up for Thomas getting worse as he ages.
Second, my arguement was about how they have the best goaltending, I have regular season numbers not playoff numbers. I personally believe elite goaltending is not needed to make a run deep into the playoffs (e.g. Niemi, Leighton).
About the 08-09 Jennings trophy, you were correct that I left out Fernandez, but I did not give Thomas credit for it, I just gave Boston credit for it.
As for the Jennings in 09-10, NJD had 186 goals against and Boston had 191 goals against. (per NHL.com)
From reading your comments I think you mispercieved the point of what I was saying. I was more focused on the Goaltending of Boston as a whole vs. other teams' goaltending, not as much on Tim Thomas vs. other goaltenders around the league