GDT: 7/1/14 - Carolina @ Buffalo: X-Files Case: A Snow Job for Trolls

[Vagrant]

The unfortunate thing about this game is that Kirk gave it to Cam because it was supposed to be a layup. I don't know how *this* team of all teams can try to use a game to work a goaltender into playing shape. We're too inconsistent.

Plus, I wonder how long Ward knew this was his game. I hope he didn't have two weeks to look at it and over analyze it. He's always been at his best when he was just thrown into it. But you just can't from a coaching perspective throw him into the game when EVERYBODY should look rusty. I don't get the decision. Go with Khudobin. I don't care what the salary structure says, he's the starter right now. You don't bank two points by playing the backup in a building that hasn't been his best.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

I do not think the Canes are out of the race just yet.

In fact, they just answered a very important question for themselves, ie. Who is the #1 goalie? Many people would have picked Anton before last night, but letting in 2 softies against the Sabres on such a small # of shots has sealed Wards fate as the backup for this season, IMO.

On the bright side, at least this team now has a decent backup, which will definitely help for back-to-back games.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Because I'm still bitter and angry at Muller's decision making here's my first use of advanced stats to attempt to prove a point.

The forwards on the ice of a tie hockey game that the team absolutely had to win have a combined Relative Corsi of -48.7 and are the bottom 3 players in that category on the team.

 

[djboos22]

That was a tough loss, already...and it was the first game on the first day back. :sigh:

 

[rocky7]

Everyone keeps talking about JR's beloved core. The only "core" left from even 4 years ago is Staal and Ward. Gleason,Pitkanen, and Sutter are gone. They were in the core 2 years ago. Ruutu isn't part of that core anymore since they've actively shopped him and JR has admitted he might consider moving Ward.

I never heard him say this. I thought he defended Ward and said he wasn't shopping him. at least that's the last comments I heard Rutherford make, on SportsNet.

 

[VAcaniac]

I swear I'm Nostradamus. I rush home from class to literally see the last minute of the game and I think to myself "Why am I rushing to see them fail in the last minute ala the Jets game?" I turn my TV on and I see a replay of Buffalo's goal with 43 seconds left.

My expectations are pretty low right now, so I wasn't even mad. This is vintage Cam Ward. He always manages a way to give up goals at the wrong time. This is the biggest difference between him and Khudobin for me right now.

Also, how long will it take for goalies around the league to figure out Eric Staal only knows how to score 5 hole? Do they not have a scouting report?

I'll be in SoCal for both games this weekend too, so I hope I actually have something to root for by then.

 

[Joe McGrath]

I never heard him say this. I thought he defended Ward and said he wasn't shopping him. at least that's the last comments I heard Rutherford make, on SportsNet.

I thought he said it would take something significant (or something like that) but it might have just been McKenzie saying that.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I thought he said it would take something significant (or something like that) but it might have just been McKenzie saying that.

In the infamous Semin-bashing interview, he was noncommittal about which of the 3 goalies would stay. IMO there's a clear difference in his phrasing when asked about Ward recently as compared to the start of the season.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Also, how long will it take for goalies around the league to figure out Eric Staal only knows how to score 5 hole? Do they not have a scouting report?

I think this season he's defying the scouting report on him his entire career. His shot, especially where he scored from last night, has always been far side low-mid height. This year he's using that book on him to fool goalies into opening up the 5 hole.

 

[TheBigKahuna]

The Canes need to hire a fat lady to sing the anthem.

 

[What the Faulk]

Why? I think Amanda Bell does a great job. They always seem to find the best anthem singers.

 

[RodTheBawd]

Cluster**** or not, allowing 2 goals on 17 shots is pretty craptastic no matter what those goals looked like

It's statements like this that make me wonder how some of you manage to feed yourselves, let alone use a computer.

That first softie by Ward didn't cost us the game, Miller standing on his head and whatever they call that thing when the other team has a guy in the penalty box did.

My Ward apologist tank is running low, but he looked quick, pretty sound positionally, and generally looked comfortable (blah blah 18 shots blah blah). His biggest issue still seems to be seeing through screens, which is where positioning comes in. He was in good position on the first, glove was off by an inch. My bhole was clenched tight on that breakaway, knowing that Khudobin has stopped all breakaways and Ward has, uhh... struggled there, but he made a solid (and key) stop. When he's off, he also tends to be back in the crease a bit, which I didn't see much of at all last night.

I thought we needed a minimum of 7 points out of this stretch, not looking good at this point.

 

[bb99]

The Canes need to hire a fat lady to sing the anthem.

Why? I think Amanda Bell does a great job. They always seem to find the best anthem singers.

Troll or totally miss the it's over when the fat lady sings joke?

 

[Navin R Slavin]

It's statements like this that make me wonder how some of you manage to feed yourselves, let alone use a computer.

The first Ward goal gave up was flat-out terrible, and it was a factor in the loss.

Does that mean it's all on his shoulders? No, there's plenty of blame to go around, and Ward deserves his share.

And FYI, I made myself scrambled eggs this morning. They were pretty good! If I can figure out how to buy eggs from the egg-selling-man, maybe I'll have them again tomorrow! Thanks for your concern.

--hank

 

[RodTheBawd]

The first Ward goal gave up was flat-out terrible, and it was a factor in the loss.

Does that mean it's all on his shoulders? No, there's plenty of blame to go around, and Ward deserves his share.

And FYI, I made myself scrambled eggs this morning. They were pretty good! If I can figure out how to buy eggs from the egg-selling-man, maybe I'll have them again tomorrow! Thanks for your concern.

--hank

That was directed at "2 goals in 17 shots is bad no matter what," not specifically at Ward's performance.

Quality post though, thanks for the laugh

 

[Blueline Bomber]

http://guardianlv.com/2014/02/ryan-miller-shines-as-nhl-returns-from-olympic-break/

My recap of the game, discussion on Carolina's powerplay and Ward's issues. Games like last night make it very difficult to write recaps, because I wanted so badly to just tear the Canes a new one midway through the article.

 

[AD Skinner]

2 goals on 17 shots IS bad no matter what. I never said that Ward cost the team the game, I just said his numbers were bad. 0/6 on the PP is also bad, no matter what. But I guess I'm just Pejorative Slured and can't wipe my own ass, let alone compare a median number in a set to one that's lower than that. If you think that an .882 save percentage is acceptable in today's NHL I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Vagrant]

The first Ward goal gave up was flat-out terrible, and it was a factor in the loss.

Does that mean it's all on his shoulders? No, there's plenty of blame to go around, and Ward deserves his share.

And FYI, I made myself scrambled eggs this morning. They were pretty good! If I can figure out how to buy eggs from the egg-selling-man, maybe I'll have them again tomorrow! Thanks for your concern.

--hank

Hank, I believe I have an adult man crush on your replies. The damn egg-selling-man hasn't come out my way in three days and I'm starving if you catch him again send him my way.

But yes, giving up 2 goals on 17 shots, not counting the Faulk redirection (which I still contend that better puck tracking and crease awareness may have prevented), is unacceptable in a game in which you carry play to the tune of thumping nearly 40 shots at the other end.

 

[RodTheBawd]

2 goals on 17 shots IS bad no matter what. I never said that Ward cost the team the game, I just said his numbers were bad. 0/6 on the PP is also bad, no matter what. But I guess I'm just Pejorative Slured and can't wipe my own ass, let alone compare a median number in a set to one that's lower than that. If you think that an .882 save percentage is acceptable in today's NHL I don't know what to tell you.

In fairness to you, I go back through the whole thread after games, so it's a buildup of sensationalist ******** that just leaves me facepalmed. I read your comment as an indictment of Ward's play, not the team. I took exception to the 2 in 17 NO MATTER WHAT part. Hypothetically speaking, if 17 of those shots are from breakaways and odd man breaks, I'd be pretty damn happy (with my goalie) with 2 goals. No, an .882 save percentage isn't acceptable, but in some circumstances, you can have a goalie stand on his head and still have a number like that.

Do you think the .882 SV% was reflective of Ward's overall play? That first goal was bad, as we've all established. The second was a not-so-good rebound he gave up, but not all rebounds end up in the back of the net (See: Carolina Hurricanes offense). The third was meh. At first I thought Ward could have made a play on it as Vagrant sort of implied, but you also have to trust the guys playing in front of you, particularly your #1 D unit. Say he does make a play on the puck as it's crossing the crease, it ends up in a bad spot that if someone puts in, everyone cries about Ward giving up another ****** rebound. Was he the elite $6.5M Conn Smythe winner everyone rages to see every night? No. But he looked like a guy that has struggled lately that has made some progress, playing opposite a guy that's played like a top 5 netminder this season.

 

[The Faulker 27]

In fairness to you, I go back through the whole thread after games, so it's a buildup of sensationalist ******** that just leaves me facepalmed. I read your comment as an indictment of Ward's play, not the team. I took exception to the 2 in 17 NO MATTER WHAT part. Hypothetically speaking, if 17 of those shots are from breakaways and odd man breaks, I'd be pretty damn happy (with my goalie) with 2 goals. No, an .882 save percentage isn't acceptable, but in some circumstances, you can have a goalie stand on his head and still have a number like that.

Do you think the .882 SV% was reflective of Ward's overall play? That first goal was bad, as we've all established. The second was a not-so-good rebound he gave up, but not all rebounds end up in the back of the net (See: Carolina Hurricanes offense). The third was meh. At first I thought Ward could have made a play on it as Vagrant sort of implied, but you also have to trust the guys playing in front of you, particularly your #1 D unit. Say he does make a play on the puck as it's crossing the crease, it ends up in a bad spot that if someone puts in, everyone cries about Ward giving up another ****** rebound. Was he the elite $6.5M Conn Smythe winner everyone rages to see every night? No. But he looked like a guy that has struggled lately that has made some progress, playing opposite a guy that's played like a top 5 netminder this season.

I think it's more or less that the number is now .882 on the season he's had another prolonged absence from injury. So, breaking down why it's .882 isn't going to make much of a difference. I can see the point your trying to make but the only thing saving Wards reputation is high save percentages and ultimately wins.

If last night was a W the discussion would have drifted away from the suspect goals he let in but it wasn't and goal tenders often carry the weight of a loss more than any other player. It is what it is but for Ward's sake and career he should have made the saves necessary to win. It doesn't mean he won't get another shot but sometimes one shot is all you get. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ole Gil]

This save% discussion is silly.

The possibilities are 1.000, .944, .888, ... So the goalie is either going to be the best goalie in the league sv% wise, or the worst goalie in the league sv% wise compared to the rest of the league. Average isn't even an option, based on this argument.

I think this is a back breaking loss. I think Cam could have been better. I think most of all, however, it was just one of those stupid flukey games where the team does almost everything right (outside of the PP) and just doesn't get rewarded.

Unfortunately, should've won counts for nothing at this point.

A weird game to complain about the big salaries, as Staal and Semin both notch big goals singlehandedly. I still think the biggest problem this team has is the 2nd pairing.

 

[Vagrant]

If you hold a team under 20 shots, you should win that game 100% of the time. If you don't then your goaltender probably had something to do with it. I don't think there are many qualifiers needed. Outside of something entirely absurd happening.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

If you hold a team under 20 shots, you should win that game 100% of the time. If you don't then your goaltender probably had something to do with it. I don't think there are many qualifiers needed. Outside of something entirely absurd happening.

So if the Red Wings had lost tonight's game, Howard would be to blame?