POLL: Which goaltender should Canada start against Finland?

[PainForShane]

Assume you're the decision maker representing Canada and want to win the game (ie Finnish fans or others may prefer to play against a particular goalie, that's not what's being asked here). I'll keep my own thoughts out of the discussion, just curious to see what everyone thinks.

Maximum two votes because of option #4 (which is not intended to be a serious option). Thanks!

EDIT: Also added Logan Thompson as an option (thx @FlyguyOX), and also Mackenzie Blackwood (thx @Phosphophyllite). Changing your vote IS allowed, thx!

Click to read more...

 

[FlyguyOX]

You left off logan thompson

 

[PaulD]

Anyone but Binnington.
Let in 4 soft goals in 2 games.
What does it take to use the other Stanley cup winning goalie you have on the roster? I mean really.
Canada's question mark was in goal. This is not a shock.
Hill should start. Complete no brainer.

 

[tantalum]

You go with Hill who at least has a positive saves above expected (so does Monte). Binnington has been poor all year. His play is not a surprise.

I understand naming rosters early but when it comes to goaltenders it would be nice if they waited longer. Use the guys that are actually playing well during the season.

 

[PainForShane]

You left off logan thompson

Good point. Added him to the poll options, vote changing is allowed. Thx!

 

[hockey webcomics]

You left off logan thompson

thanks for reminding him, it was my 1st choice

 

[Phosphophyllite]

Would've voted for Blackwood, but went with Thompson out of the options.

 

[WolfgangPuck]

No brainer. Replace Billington. Outplayed by Hellybuyck. Give Hill a chance

 

[ahmedou]

 

[featherhawk]

Aidin Hill or Monty, Binnington has let in soft goals in both games and is the best goalie on the St. Louis Blues... how Thomson, Blackwood were not selected is beyond me...wither would be be miles better thank Binnington.

 

[PainForShane]

Would've voted for Blackwood, but went with Thompson out of the options.

Added, appreciate the feedback. Should've spent more time up front thinking of other goalie options (vote changing is allowed). Thx!

 

[NVious]

Hill, Binnington had his shot and did nothing with it.

You can't have a guy give you two C performances at the highest level and stick with him.

Binnington isn't Price and honestly outside of his cup run year which a ton of goalies can go on those sorts of streaks (see Hammond), he as a whole has been extremely underwhelming. His career save percentage is around .900 without that year and yeah it's not really fair to take away someone's best year, but it's been 6 years and he has done nothing in that time frame to suggest that his run wasn't just an aberration on a great team.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Binnington was pretty good aside from that weak Guentzel goal. Tough to fault him on the Larkin shot because of that terrible change Canada had.

He's no Carey Price or Roberto LOLuongo but I wouldn't blame the loss on him. It makes no sense not to go with Hill at this point however. Finland is the weak link in this tournament and I think Canada should see what they can get out of Hill before they (likely) make it to the Championship game against the US.

Either way I voted for Price obviously

 

[Goal Caufield50]

Anybody but Binnington

 

[bobholly39]

If Carey Price is magically healthy today - I'd put him in even with 5 years worth of rust/not playing above any of these guys.

 

[Mike Liut]

Allows only 2 goals and sets up their only goal. Definitely the reason they lost lmao

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I'll take the "anyone but Binnington" option.

 

[PainForShane]

Well, we're about to start, poll will stay up during the game, here's where we are as of the anthems:

I voted Binnington WITH THE CAVEAT that you give him a very short leash. Reasoning:

1) As a fmr goalie, I'd say about 60-70% of a goalie's performance is related to how good he is, the other 30-40% are around team fit which includes how well the goalie fits within the system incl knowing your defenders ie what they'll do at different times, how likely they are to block shots, clear the net etc. This is a short tourney, no one other than Binner has played games.

2) Binner hasn't been TERRIBLE -- sure he hasn't been good but he's basically been NHL average in my opinion. Imo I don't think Hill or Montembeault are significantly better options, at least not enough to make up for the lack of familiarity in playing with the team. Finns esp are really good at that aspect of the game, so this is even more important than in most short tourneys.

3) If Canada scores 4 goals (which they probably should), I think they're going to win even with Binner.

Short leash though. If he lets up a bad goal, immediately put in Hill (and then start Hill in the final if you get there). But completely understand the "anyone but Binner" crowd, or anyone voting for the goalie you like, those idea make sense too.

Let's see how we go!

 

[ORRFForever]

At this point, it is ride or die with Binnington so let's hope he has the game of his life on Thursday.

On the plus side, he handles the puck wonderfully.

 

[tantalum]

At this point, it is ride or die with Binnington so let's hope he has the game of his life on Thursday.

On the plus side, he handles the puck wonderfully.

He gets a lot of practice pulling the puck out of his net

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Binnington plays till the end thanks to the extreme bias from Cooper. Give Hill a shot. I can't see how he would be any worse.

 

[NVious]

Another C game from him