Side note to guys who play D - Watch your goalie play while you are on the bench. Watch specifically when he comes out, how he comes out, and where he sets himself in the crease area. Use these placements as a barometer of how you manage your gap control. Your gap closure needs to end by the time you get to these areas, actually a bit in front of these areas. D need to be aware that they don't encroach on the goalie's natural movement regarding shot angles unless they are physically dealing with an opponent imho.

Hope that makes sense.
- Jason Millen

Interesting but seemingly tough to do, know where your goalie is/will be/should be as you retreat with your back turned to your goalie as you front the skater. ....Curious if this is taught?

Back in the day as your Dman was gliding backwards as a goalie it was as simple as screaming "stand him up" when his gap needed to end as he was running out of retreat room. In other words the goalie has the benefit of the play in front of him and would holler instructions to his Dman as far as when the Dman is running out of depth room.

It's almost blasphemous to question it now, but besides stopping the puck, the number 1 rule of goaltending from my upbringing, was DON'T MAKE THE FIRST MOVE.

When goalies default to their knees before the first ticket is scanned at the gate, they're in violation.
- philco28

Phil it still is, and IMO will always be the rule that the skater must make the first move. But as an old timer taught to stay up I'm with you 100% that most goalies go down too soon.

It's just the evolution of the position and equipment that allows a goalie play the sport so much lower.

In the beginning it was simple self preservation to stay up without a mask. Even when the mask was put on the gear from the collar bone on up was not very good. Then in the 90's that gear got much better and a goalie could go down and his collar bone/shoulder/arms/head area was relatively safe.

Now the design and light weight of the pads and skates allows a guy to move side to side on his knees as quickly and easily as if he were up. It never stops amazing me the push a goalie gets, and distance traveled, from his knees these days. Mobility wise they are as agile, quick and more importantly more compact (less holes) in a 4-5 foot distance as they are up on their feet.

Then add the size of these beasts, the blocking style and computers tabulating percentages and the goalie now plays the sport very low or on his knees and he can still cover up to the crossbar while having the same mobility/quickness as if he were on his feet as he completely seals the ice.

To me going down too early is most evident on the short side tough angle shot. All goalies go down now and give the sliver of the corners to the shooter in this instance. If he can hit that very small spot up high he'll score but he ain't beating the goalie anywhere else. The percentages show it's better to be down, and in this instance yes the goalie made the first move, on those short side attempts.

This probably has already been talked about, but I haven't got time to read thru all these pages (credit to JJ).
This Ehrhoff guy has really impressed me:
-nice shot from the point on the power play (something this team has lacked)
-eating up minutes (almost the same as Keith last nite)
-aggressive in the offensive zone esp. considering that he is a new player on the team
To me he has had more impact than any of our other additions so far.
- 67hawks

Not sure which new add has had the most impact so far but from what I've seen Erhoff can still really, really, really skate. His mobility is excellent and as you mention his offensive game has been excellent.

If his concussion issues don't resurface this guy was made to be a Q system Dman. Excellent mobility, excellent offensive instincts and a helluva shot.

Indeed he has a chance to be the best add when all is said and done. Ladd allowing Shaw to move down can't be overstated though. That one add allowed two positions and 2-3 lines to improve.

What a goal by Schmaltz tonight (well technically last night but whatever) https://www.twitter.com/s...54304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw ....those hands.....
- Dabearshawks

Good to see him back on the ice and hitting the score sheet. He missed a bunch of games after the WJC but I never did see why he was out. Then when he came back he wasn't scoring at the same clip as before the WJC. He got 1 goal and 3 assists last night so hopefully that means that whatever was the problem is now in the rear view mirror.

Talking about draft picks last year Hawks draft choices doesn´t look very promising. Graham Knott has only 9 goals this year in 60 games while he had 25 last year in 59 gp..anyone knows what´s going on with him? Roy Radke had decent start but has cooled off since. Dennis Gilbert may look now as the best choise from 2015 picks..

My mom did that with the baby spoon and tableware until I was about 6 years old. She was a lefty and hated it.
- 6628

She should have shopped here!

I find it odd that Garbutt was given a minor penalty for interference when it was very apparent that it was a clean hit.The Yotes homer commentators seem to believe as many do that a clean check needs a fight Staged fights,retaliation for clean hits and injury based head shot penalties do nothing to promote hockey.
- eagle50

Ridiculous that people can't even check anymore, specifically the other team's stars, without it turning into a fight. What a bunch of bs.

Max looks like a chip off old block there. Good for him for sticking up for a team mate.
- Beaver-Warrior

Cost him a game suspension, but earned him even more respect in the room

I'd say him coming from behind and attacking Garbutt was worse than the hit was.

Hit looked fine to me. He was finishing his check and it wasn't like he blind-sided him.

Just homer announcing if you ask me. And they said it best "I would like to see Domi in an actual fight", and not one of those situations where he comes from behind and starts swinging. That is bull-crap.
- TommyHawk

Agreed


Not the best angle on approach, but maybe from his vantage point, he though his mate was cheap-shotted and reacted accordingly.

Interesting but seemingly tough to do, know where your goalie is/will be/should be as you retreat with your back turned to your goalie as you front the skater. ....Curious if this is taught?

Back in the day as your Dman was gliding backwards as a goalie it was as simple as screaming "stand him up" when his gap needed to end as he was running out of retreat room. In other words the goalie has the benefit of the play in front of him and would holler instructions to his Dman as far as when the Dman is running out of depth room.
- Mr Ricochet

I think much of this thinking has changed. While not always possible, you'll note that when the Hawks D is playing at its best, it is NOT backing in on Crawford (or Darling). They are "attacking" the attacking forward with the puck by the time they reach the blue line and preventing or disrupting entry into the zone. This presupposes that both D are capable of turning quickly and skating hard after a puck that is dumped deep into the O zone.

When the Hawks appear to get in trouble (IMO), they are allowing easy zone entry and end up in situations like we had in Boston. When Keith hesitates or half-asses it back, when you see Gustafsson not make the switch quick enough from skating backwards to forwards to chase down a puck well before the opposition, and when Rozy is out there, forgetaboutit, he isn't beating anyone back, his only hope is use his experience and size to muck up the play along the boards and wait for help (his D partner and the forwards).

Q's system demands engagement early with the stick along with good positioning.

Phil it still is, and IMO will always be the rule that the skater must make the first move. But as an old timer taught to stay up I'm with you 100% that most goalies go down too soon.

It's just the evolution of the position and equipment that allows a goalie play the sport so much lower.

In the beginning it was simple self preservation to stay up without a mask. Even when the mask was put on the gear from the collar bone on up was not very good. Then in the 90's that gear got much better and a goalie could go down and his collar bone/shoulder/arms/head area was relatively safe.

Now the design and light weight of the pads and skates allows a guy to move side to side on his knees as quickly and easily as if he were up. It never stops amazing me the push a goalie gets, and distance traveled, from his knees these days. Mobility wise they are as agile, quick and more importantly more compact (less holes) in a 4-5 foot distance as they are up on their feet.

Then add the size of these beasts, the blocking style and computers tabulating percentages and the goalie now plays the sport very low or on his knees and he can still cover up to the crossbar while having the same mobility/quickness as if he were on his feet as he completely seals the ice.

To me going down too early is most evident on the short side tough angle shot. All goalies go down now and give the sliver of the corners to the shooter in this instance. If he can hit that very small spot up high he'll score but he ain't beating the goalie anywhere else. The percentages show it's better to be down, and in this instance yes the goalie made the first move, on those short side attempts.
- Mr Ricochet

Rico, THANK YOU for this wonderfully analytic post


Stands to reason that pre-curved stick, raising the puck would have been harder, hence stand up goaltending was safer, especially pre-mask era.

Also, back in the day, goalers didn't have any protection around the kneecap, specifically the area between the top of the goal pad and the bottom of the pants. I played a bit of goal as a yoot and if I was down looking for the puck in a goal mouth scrum, it wasn't unusual to have a loose puck fired from close range and have it catch me right on the kneecap. OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH.

The advent of knee pads that protect that area was HUGE.
Chest protectors and arm pads in the 70s/80s were also paper thin and have
been greatly improved.

I recall the adage that 'the goalie should be the best skater' on the team. And with training methods having advanced, today's tenders have taken agility and net coverage to the next level.

Anytime an attacking forward is circling the net, i expect the goalie to be standing upright and hugging that post tight. When they don't, you see what we saw in Boston. There's no way in the world Bergeron should have scored there, deflection or no deflection.

Watch any set of highlights on a busy night in the NHL and notice how many times a goalie on his knees is scored on up high. It's astounding. And it's often because the goalie made the first move and was down early. The 'butterfly' is hardly infallible.

I think much of this thinking has changed. While not always possible, you'll note that when the Hawks D is playing at its best, it is NOT backing in on Crawford (or Darling). They are "attacking" the attacking forward with the puck by the time they reach the blue line and preventing or disrupting entry into the zone. This presupposes that both D are capable of turning quickly and skating hard after a puck that is dumped deep into the O zone.

When the Hawks appear to get in trouble (IMO), they are allowing easy zone entry and end up in situations like we had in Boston. When Keith hesitates or half-asses it back, when you see Gustafsson not make the switch quick enough from skating backwards to forwards to chase down a puck well before the opposition, and when Rozy is out there, forgetaboutit, he isn't beating anyone back, his only hope is use his experience and size to muck up the play along the boards and wait for help (his D partner and the forwards).

Q's system demands engagement early with the stick along with good positioning.
- savvyone-1

Well what was the attraction to Scuderi then? Q must have hated Daley's guts and decided he couldn't ever learn his system and how to actually play defence.

Well what was the attraction to Scuderi then? Q must have hated Daley's guts and decided he couldn't ever learn his system and how to actually play defence.
- RickJ

Q's "attraction" to Scuderi is what Q's attraction always is: a vet that's been through the wars (and in this case, has won 2 Cups and knows what it takes). It's the same attraction Q had for Andrew Brunette -- even though, like Scuderi, he was washed up when he arrived in Chicago.

Of course Q hated Daley's guts, why else the limited minutes -- hell, Q trusted Leddy WAY MORE than he ever trusted Daley. At least Nick would engage at the blue line and had the speed and vision with the puck. Daly, it seemed to me, just never cared about playing the way Q wanted.

IMO, we're going to see a lot of Ehrhoff. Guy still has some pretty good wheels (IMO, he is faster back there than everyone except Keith, and I'm including Gus in my observation). Good shot with an ability to actually get the shot on net and through traffic. Great pickup by Stan -- he must be a helluva blue light shopper in real life!

EDIT: forget to say hello Rick, hope all is well up North!

Q's "attraction" to Scuderi is what Q's attraction always is: a vet that's been through the wars (and in this case, has won 2 Cups and knows what it takes). It's the same attraction Q had for Andrew Brunette -- even though, like Scuderi, he was washed up when he arrived in Chicago.

Of course Q hated Daley's guts, why else the limited minutes -- hell, Q trusted Leddy WAY MORE than he ever trusted Daley. At least Nick would engage at the blue line and had the speed and vision with the puck. Daly, it seemed to me, just never cared about playing the way Q wanted.

IMO, we're going to see a lot of Ehrhoff. Guy still has some pretty good wheels (IMO, he is faster back there than everyone except Keith, and I'm including Gus in my observation). Good shot with an ability to actually get the shot on net and through traffic. Great pickup by Stan -- he must be a helluva blue light shopper in real life!

EDIT: forget to say hello Rick, hope all is well up North!
- savvyone-1

Things are fine in the Great White North Savvy, more snow this week than we had all winter. And all of the Canadian teams are out of the playoffs, the Habs on the outside looking in always makes me happy. But I would imagine Rogers isn't thrilled with their broadcast deal with Bettman because ratings for Hockey Night in Canada have to be thru the floor.

Erhoff - I think there was a mutual attraction going back to last summer but Stanbo couldn't make the money work then. His style certainly doesn't fit with the way Sutter and the Kings play the game. So far so good with him as long as he stays healthy.

I would like to see a playoff system like the Euro in Soccer

1.Top 16 get in

Pools of 4:
Pool A: Seeds 1-4
Pool B:Seeds 5-8
Pool C: Seeds 9-12
Pool D: Seeds 13-16

*Two teams tied for 16th have a 1 game playoff gmae.
Draw a team from pool A and a Team from Pool D and they play in Round 1,
A team from Pool B would play a Team from Pool C. Etc. Etc.

The draw would be made for TV!!

Based on the standings today the Pools would look like this

Pool A:
Washington
Chicago
Dallas
St. Loius

Pool B:
NY Rangers
LA
Anaheim
Tampa Bay

Pool C:
Florida
Boston
NY Isl
San Jose


Pool D:
Nashville
Detroit
Pittsburgh
Minn or Colarado who would play a 1 game playoff

Imagine the possible and varied match ups every year!!

Draw this year could be

Wash
Pitts

NY R
Florida

NY Ils
Tampa Bay

Dallas
Colorado



Chicago
Detroit

Anaheim
San Jose

LA
Boston

St.Louis
Nashville

My son shared this with me

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...-next-year-041130720.html

Will make for an interesting playoff series if we see the Kings

A couple of things:

(not going after, arguing just stating my humble opinion, so don't think i am going after any posters..I just read and am combining them.

I will never ever think I am an expert or even understand the way the goalies are coached in the present era.

After being treated to a candy store of tremendous goalies as a kid night after night, usually no back ups, I saw the great Terry Sawchuck, the great Glenn Hall, Jacques Plante, the 33 yr old newbie Johnny Bower and off his feet kick-slide sweep, etc.

There were so much more like baseball short stops than the are now.

But it is very clear reflexes and tracking (seeing the trajectory) are a large part of the new game.
I know there is plenty of reasoning behind the new era playing of the post and being in fact more quick to the new set up than to the stop...that is that technique positioning is now dominant over that old time original six "just stop it" way all those greats above had varying degrees of difference in style.
Now, I think there is more game play to the goalies techinque and game.

After expounding all that fluff, when watching the hawks Bruin yesterday, my feeble mind also thought Darling was using his knees as part of his starting stance...(that make sense?)
In the past,I have negatively commented here (and I actually still like the idea of Darling as the back up over Antti Raanta), that so many times when I watch it surprises me how small someone that big can make himself, the opposite of what I think you want.

So I wasn't too pleased with him or the way he is coached up or let stop the puck.
You all have to understand that even if you take a look at low end guys on rosters they still are skilled players, far beete than we want to give them credit for shooting the puck. So you goalie has to be big, in the most comfortable stance and position (as well as BEST one for the play) and still have the cat like reflexes the shortsops of past greats hand.

Now on to Schmaltz's and the greatest goal ever:
Yeah I saw it.
I heard the college play by play.

But, wasn't it just the case of a forward alone with no defender near, the goalie making the initial save and the puck coming back to Schmaltz who we already know is a terrific puck-handler and Nick Schmaltz finishing?

Don't we see NHL players and 'hawks make that all year?

and I am not trying to hate on a nice opportunistic score, but what was that Schmaltz's FIFTH or SIXTH GOAL?

...and isn't the guy he's playing with Brock Boeser a pretty good player to see Schmaultz and get him the puck?


...and as much as it takes a village of hawk attackers to make (passes) a goal, I am still wishing there was some nice sharpshooter climbing up through the prospect chain. (says the greddy already got a freebie Russian in Panarin and a TT who should have never dropped to pick 18).


Wouldn't you like Drouin to come to his senses after Stan acquires him, and be yet another quick scorer for us?

Just saying cool you chubbies on Schmaultzy a bit for now, ok?


I don't want to see Soccer let alone their playoff format...is the next step ONE GAME PLAYOFFS too?
Or round robins like in Junior/International?

Playoff format in NHL 's all about selling out in the lesser markets, and somewhere someone did a survey, and probably came up the interdivisional idea based on the fact the average fan knows these visiting teams because they have already play tons a times in their rink and seen their home team on occasion beat them.

So I think that may be the core of the idea:

If Nashville gets in, do the Canucks/Colorado garnish interest over the likes of the more hated Blues/hawks?
(The San Jose Shark fans LOVE traveling down to LA Forum and getting the riavalry going even before the Kings won anything...

Maybe the hardcore fans in the east would like a cakewalk path by way of many of the grouping breaking easier there.
I just think $ decides much of that...you gotta sell beer and the rivalries fill the building a bit more...

A couple of things:

(not going after, arguing just stating my humble opinion, so don't think i am going after any posters..I just read and am combining them.

I will never ever think I am an expert or even understand the way the goalies are coached in the present era.

After being treated to a candy store of tremendous goalies as a kid night after night, usually no back ups, I saw the great Terry Sawchuck, the great Glenn Hall, Jacques Plante, the 33 yr old newbie Johnny Bower and off his feet kick-slide sweep, etc.

There were so much more like baseball short stops than the are now.

But it is very clear reflexes and tracking (seeing the trajectory) are a large part of the new game.
I know there is plenty of reasoning behind the new era playing of the post and being in fact more quick to the new set up than to the stop...that is that technique positioning is now dominant over that old time original six "just stop it" way all those greats above had varying degrees of difference in style.
Now, I think there is more game play to the goalies techinque and game.

After expounding all that fluff, when watching the hawks Bruin yesterday, my feeble mind also thought Darling was using his knees as part of his starting stance...(that make sense?)
In the past,I have negatively commented here (and I actually still like the idea of Darling as the back up over Antti Raanta), that so many times when I watch it surprises me how small someone that big can make himself, the opposite of what I think you want.

So I wasn't too pleased with him or the way he is coached up or let stop the puck.
You all have to understand that even if you take a look at low end guys on rosters they still are skilled players, far beete than we want to give them credit for shooting the puck. So you goalie has to be big, in the most comfortable stance and position (as well as BEST one for the play) and still have the cat like reflexes the shortsops of past greats hand.

Now on to Schmaltz's and the greatest goal ever:
Yeah I saw it.
I heard the college play by play.

But, wasn't it just the case of a forward alone with no defender near, the goalie making the initial save and the puck coming back to Schmaltz who we alrady know is a terrific puck-handler and Nick Schmaltz finishing?

Don't we see NHL players and 'hawks make that all year?

and I am not trying to hate on a nice opportunistic score, but what was that Schmaltz's FIFTH or SIXTH GOAL?

...and isn't the guy he's playing with Brock Boeser a pretty good player to see Schmaultz and get him the puck?


...and as much as it takes a villiage of hawk attackers to make (passes) a goal, I am still wishing there was some nice sharpshooter climbing up through the prospect chain. (says the greddy already got a freebie Russina in Panarin and a TT who should have never dropped to pick 18).


Wouldn't you like Drouin to come to his senses after Stan acquires him, and be yet another quick scorer for us?

Just saying cool you chubbies on Schmaultzy a bit for now, ok?


I don't want to see Soccer let alone their playoff format...is the next step ONE GAME PLAYOFFS too?
Or round robins like in Junior/International?

Playoff format in NHL s all about selling out in the lesser markets, and somewhere someone did a survey, and probably came up the interdivisional idea based on the fact the average fan knows these visiting teams because they have already play tons a times in their rink and seen their home team on occasion beat them.

So I think that may be the core of the idea:

If Nashville gets in, do the Canucks/Colorado garnish interest over the likes of the more hated Blues/hawks?

Maybe the hardcore fans in the east would like a cakewalk path by way of many of the grouping breaking easier there.
I just think $ decides much of that...you gotta sell beer and the rivalries fill the building a bit more...
- wiz1901

I know you made this comment over the summer and it's exactly what I thought of while I was watching the game vs the Bruins

A couple of things:

(not going after, arguing just stating my humble opinion, so don't think i am going after any posters..I just read and am combining them.

I will never ever think I am an expert or even understand the way the goalies are coached in the present era.

After being treated to a candy store of tremendous goalies as a kid night after night, usually no back ups, I saw the great Terry Sawchuck, the great Glenn Hall, Jacques Plante, the 33 yr old newbie Johnny Bower and off his feet kick-slide sweep, etc.

There were so much more like baseball short stops than the are now.

But it is very clear reflexes and tracking (seeing the trajectory) are a large part of the new game.
I know there is plenty of reasoning behind the new era playing of the post and being in fact more quick to the new set up than to the stop...that is that technique positioning is now dominant over that old time original six "just stop it" way all those greats above had varying degrees of difference in style.
Now, I think there is more game play to the goalies techinque and game.

After expounding all that fluff, when watching the hawks Bruin yesterday, my feeble mind also thought Darling was using his knees as part of his starting stance...(that make sense?)
In the past,I have negatively commented here (and I actually still like the idea of Darling as the back up over Antti Raanta), that so many times when I watch it surprises me how small someone that big can make himself, the opposite of what I think you want.

So I wasn't too pleased with him or the way he is coached up or let stop the puck.
You all have to understand that even if you take a look at low end guys on rosters they still are skilled players, far beete than we want to give them credit for shooting the puck. So you goalie has to be big, in the most comfortable stance and position (as well as BEST one for the play) and still have the cat like reflexes the shortsops of past greats hand.

Now on to Schmaltz's and the greatest goal ever:
Yeah I saw it.
I heard the college play by play.

But, wasn't it just the case of a forward alone with no defender near, the gaolie making the initial save and the puck coming back to Schmaltz who we alrady know is a terrific puck-handler and Nick Schmaltz finishing?

Don't we see NHL players and 'hawks make that all year?

and I am not trying to hate on a nice opportunistic score, but what was that Schmaltz's FIFTH or SIXTH GOAL?

...and isn't the guy he's playing with Brock Boeser a pretty good player to see Schmaultz and get him the puck?


...and as much as it takes a villiage of hawk attackers to make (passes) a goal, I am still wishing there was some nice sharpshooter climbing up through the prospect chain. (says the greddy already got a freebie Russina in Panarin and a TT who should have never dropped to pick 18).


Wouldn't you like Drouin to come to his senses after Stan acquires him, and be yet another quick scorer for us?

Just saying cool you chubbies on Schmaultzy a bit for now, ok?
- wiz1901

The goalie never touched the puck. Schmaltz got him down, deked past him, threw the puck slowly along the left side of the outside of the net, and tucked it into the goal.

I would like to see a playoff system like the Euro in Soccer

1.Top 16 get in

Pools of 4:
Pool A: Seeds 1-4
Pool B:Seeds 5-8
Pool C: Seeds 9-12
Pool D: Seeds 13-16

*Two teams tied for 16th have a 1 game playoff gmae.
Draw a team from pool A and a Team from Pool D and they play in Round 1,
A team from Pool B would play a Team from Pool C. Etc. Etc.

The draw would be made for TV!!

Based on the standings today the Pools would look like this

Pool A:
Washington
Chicago
Dallas
St. Loius

Pool B:
NY Rangers
LA
Anaheim
Tampa Bay

Pool C:
Florida
Boston
NY Isl
San Jose


Pool D:
Nashville
Detroit
Pittsburgh
Minn or Colarado who would play a 1 game playoff

Imagine the possible and varied match ups every year!!

Draw this year could be

Wash
Pitts

NY R
Florida

NY Ils
Tampa Bay

Dallas
Colorado



Chicago
Detroit

Anaheim
San Jose

LA
Boston

St.Louis
Nashville
















- Colbyboy

Too complicated - hard to care about positioning on, say, March 5 when there are so many potential first-round match-ups. Now, it's finish first and play Nashville, Colorado or Minnesota; finish second or third and play Dallas or St. Louis. Current plan creates more play-off anticipation.

Your plan doesn't promote rivalries, which creates more play-off interest: a first round series against a division rival certainly creates more interest than one against some Eastern team that you know very little about.

Too complicated - hard to care about positioning on, say, March 5 when there are so many potential first-round match-ups. Now, it's finish first and play Nashville, Colorado or Minnesota; finish second or third and play Dallas or St. Louis. Current plan creates more play-off anticipation.

Your plan doesn't promote rivalries, which creates more play-off interest: a first round series against a division rival certainly creates more interest than one against some Eastern team that you know very little about.
- StLBravesFan

I was thinking the same thing.

The goalie never touched the puck. Schmaltz got him down, deked past him, threw the puck slowly along the left side of the outside of the net, and tucked it into the goal.
- Dabearshawks

Whatever...my point was MOST NHL players given that opportunity can back track and put it in, right? Shaw hass, Hoss off the top of my head.

I will say again they took Schmaultz because they saw Spezza-like small area stickhandling abiilty...and he clearly showed good hands...but this doesn't get him in the hall of fame much less a roster spot.
My point not the great goal it was advertised as.
in my hockey world great golas are an entire different cataegory not based on goalie unable to stop and open man almost behind him...my entire point.

sheesh....I watched this 24 hours ago, not five mnutes ago..."goalie never toucehd"
good point but NOT the real point.
and if we really want to split the hairs, a better goalie, well he may have been agile enough to get around and "touch it."

The Western Michigan goalie is Trevor Gorsuch and besides his name easily morphing into an insult with a one letter change has played FIVE GAMES this season.
Before Schmaultz got out of the circle area the goalie was down, he set up down, no deke to get him down...
Gorsuch didn't touch the puck, a surprise!

Phil it still is, and IMO will always be the rule that the skater must make the first move. But as an old timer taught to stay up I'm with you 100% that most goalies go down too soon.

It's just the evolution of the position and equipment that allows a goalie play the sport so much lower.

In the beginning it was simple self preservation to stay up without a mask. Even when the mask was put on the gear from the collar bone on up was not very good. Then in the 90's that gear got much better and a goalie could go down and his collar bone/shoulder/arms/head area was relatively safe.

Now the design and light weight of the pads and skates allows a guy to move side to side on his knees as quickly and easily as if he were up. It never stops amazing me the push a goalie gets, and distance traveled, from his knees these days. Mobility wise they are as agile, quick and more importantly more compact (less holes) in a 4-5 foot distance as they are up on their feet.

Then add the size of these beasts, the blocking style and computers tabulating percentages and the goalie now plays the sport very low or on his knees and he can still cover up to the crossbar while having the same mobility/quickness as if he were on his feet as he completely seals the ice.

(TO ME GOING DOWN TO EARLY )is most evident on the short side tough angle shot. All goalies go down now and give the sliver of the corners to the shooter in this instance. If he can hit that very small spot up high he'll score but he ain't beating the goalie anywhere else. The percentages show it's better to be down, and in this instance yes the goalie made the first move, on those short side attempts.
- Mr Ricochet

Words to live by

Ridiculous that people can't even check anymore, specifically the other team's stars, without it turning into a fight. What a bunch of bs.
- howiehandles

On the one hand I agree with you, but for Garbutt to hit OEL like that with 2 1/2 minutes left in a 4-1 game they were trailing, I kinda understand why a couple of Coyotes were pissed at that hit.

How would you like it if someone leveled Keith like that in the same situation?

I don`t find it complicated at all. I also don`t find it entertaining to be playing Minnie and the Blues .....year after year. I see the Eastern Teams all the time....I live in the East. Don`t see what is so dull about a series against the Penquins or the Rangers or Florida. I see the different match ups as compelling entertainment.

And in my system better chance the last 2 teams standing are the 2 Best. Not so in the West East system.