bland
Registered User
- Jul 1, 2004
- 8,237
- 12,604
Numbers have no real value. Comparing the save percentages of goalies who have teams playing differeing styles of defense aren't going to be of equal value.There just weren't any undeniable guys on Florida for the Smythe. Quick's 2014 run gets crapped on a bit, probably because of how insane 2012 was, but his numbers from '14 are very similar to Bobrovsky's and nobody was clamoring for Quick to win in '14.
Barkov finished a -1 for the Finals which isn't too shabby if he's matched up against McDavid the entire time. 21 minutes a night in the playoffs for a team known for its defense. Back to Quick's 2014, he faced 30 shots a game on average while Bob faced 24. If you are the best defensive forward on a team that allows 24 shots a game and you lead the team in scoring, you have a pretty good case.
It isn't sexy though. Either is Bob.
Just as an FYI, Quick faced an average of 27 shots in 2012. Just a mind blowing performance.
If you remember the Sutter coached teams, they put very little emphasis on blocking shots. Their scheme was based on boxing out and preventing rebounds and secondary attempts while giving Quick cleaner looks at shots. His genius was in making the remarkable secondary saves when called upon, but the team's style was designed to reduce the amount of higher danger chances.
Why would his raw numbers be comparable to those of a goalie whose team didn't provide the same kind of defense? They all face different teams with different offensive approaches.
The numbers don't mean much when the control isn't the same, they are just interesting for conversations sake. My problem with it is like in Smytheking's post (and not him, he is at the top of the hockey internet message board posters food chain) is that these kinds of arguments that use numbers as a crutch are usually just flat out fallacies.
Bobrovsky was outstanding, and he was a massive part of their success from start to finish.