A failed goaltender who can't get his team to the Grand Prize. That's like saying Terry Bradshaw was an OK quarterback, but Dan Marino was better... Give me a break.

By the numbers, whatever. Anomaly? Hank doesn't have a single Cup to his name. Not even close. Until he does that, he's another 'good goalie' who can't get it done when it counts the most. You don't win a championship based on the regular season. End of story.

No they're not, the playoffs are a totally different animal than the regular season, to pretend like they are is incredibly short sighted.
- bluecoconuts

You're right that the playoffs are a different animal, but I'd actually argue that it's easier for most goalies to put up a great save percentage in the playoffs than the regular season. There's a good case for the idea that average shot quality goes down in the playoffs, because teams play more defensively and refs are more reluctant to call penalties. The average save percentage in the playoffs is consistently higher than the regular season, often by about 10 points or more -- a gap that can only partially be explained by teams relying more on their starters or employing slightly better goalies on average than non-playoff teams.

Also, weird stuff happens over 4 playoff rounds. The year the Canes made the 2002 finals Arturs Irbe rocked a .938, and he was objectively terrible for pretty much his entire 13 year career.

A failed goaltender who can't get his team to the Grand Prize. That's like saying Terry Bradshaw was an OK quarterback, but Dan Marino was better... Give me a break.

By the numbers, whatever. Anomaly? Hank doesn't have a single Cup to his name. Not even close. Until he does that, he's another 'good goalie' who can't get it done when it counts the most. You don't win a championship based on the regular season. End of story.
- MisterC

you said Lundqvist was "Ryan Miller 2.0"

and, that is just further evidence that crazy people should not have internet access

You're right that the playoffs are a different animal, but I'd actually argue that it's easier for most goalies to put up a great save percentage in the playoffs than the regular season. There's a good case for the idea that average shot quality goes down in the playoffs, because teams play more defensively and refs are more reluctant to call penalties. The average save percentage in the playoffs is consistently higher than the regular season, often by about 10 points or more -- a gap that can only partially be explained by teams relying more on their starters or employing slightly better goalies on average than non-playoff teams.

Also, weird stuff happens over 4 playoff rounds. The year the Canes made the 2002 finals Arturs Irbe rocked a .938, and he was objectively terrible for pretty much his entire 13 year career.
- Sven22

If it's so much easier, then why does Lundqvist's stats get worse?

If it's so much easier, then why does Lundqvist's stats get worse?
- bluecoconuts

the Rangers have played the Capitals 4 times in the playoffs since 2009

the Rangers have played the Capitals 4 times in the playoffs since 2009
- jimbro83

So? Since 2009 the Capitals have ranked 6th, 7th, 11th, 11th, and 14th (out of 16 obviously) in goals during the playoffs, and they've never made it out of the second round.

you said Lundqvist was "Ryan Miller 2.0"

and, that is just further evidence that crazy people should not have internet access
- jimbro83

And Ryan Miller has won exactly what? Not a damn thing.

So? Since 2009 the Capitals have ranked 6th, 7th, 11th, 11th, and 14th (out of 16 obviously) in goals during the playoffs, and they've never made it out of the second round.
- bluecoconuts

Rangers fans apparently love grasping at straws. Their goalie is mediocre and can't get them to the promised land so they have make shiat up to feel better about themselves.

So? Since 2009 the Capitals have ranked 6th, 7th, 11th, 11th, and 14th (out of 16 obviously) in goals during the playoffs, and they've never made it out of the second round.
- bluecoconuts

so? go phuck yourself

it must be very hard facing that vaunted St Louis Blues and Phoenix Coyote offense all the time.

Rangers fans apparently love grasping at straws. Their goalie is mediocre and can't get them to the promised land so they have make shiat up to feel better about themselves.
- MisterC

now Lundqvist is mediocre?

so? go phuck yourself

it must be very hard facing that vaunted St Louis Blues and Phoenix Coyote offense all the time.
- jimbro83

It was mostly hard facing their defense, and still finishing third in G/G for that year's playoffs.

But more to the point, that year in G/G, Vancouver was 15th, St. Louis was 7th, Phoenix was 6th and NJ was 4th.

Lundqvist faced Ottawa at 13th, Washington at 11th, and then they went out against the Devils. He played against lower ranked offense and put up lower numbers than Quick. And before you say Quick was playing on a better team, remember the Kings were the 8 seed, Rangers were 1.

Even this year, Quick faced offenses at 6th, 9th and 15th, and Lundqvist 14th and 4th.

So you say Hank's playoff numbers aren't as good as Quick's because the NYRs play Washington all the time. Someone points out Washington's offense disappears in the playoffs, so instead of actually coming back with a real response you say that the Quick didn't play against strong offenses.

There you go. He played against as strong, or stronger offenses than Lundqvist the past two years and has put up much, much better numbers.

You people speak as though Quick is Patrick Roy in the playoffs and Lundqvist is Marc Andre Fleury. Are you even listening to yourselves? Quick got them the cup, do you honestly think if Lundqvist was the goalie for LA last year, he wouldn't have won the cup as well? Really consider that statement. I'm pretty sure given the same performances going on in the East with Hank and the West with Quick, GOALTENDING is not the difference why the Rangers lost and LA won. When your goalie consistently gives you 2.0 GAA and under, and you still have to go to 7 games in Rd1 and Rd2, there is something wrong with the rest of the team. This is why the "Quick has a cup" statement has very little meaning when talking about the quality of goaltending. It has some, not disputing that, but very little.

It was mostly hard facing their defense, and still finishing third in G/G for that year's playoffs.

But more to the point, that year in G/G, Vancouver was 15th, St. Louis was 7th, Phoenix was 6th and NJ was 4th.

Lundqvist faced Ottawa at 13th, Washington at 11th, and then they went out against the Devils. He played against lower ranked offense and put up lower numbers than Quick. And before you say Quick was playing on a better team, remember the Kings were the 8 seed, Rangers were 1.

Even this year, Quick faced offenses at 6th, 9th and 15th, and Lundqvist 14th and 4th.

So you say Hank's playoff numbers aren't as good as Quick's because the NYRs play Washington all the time. Someone points out Washington's offense disappears in the playoffs, so instead of actually coming back with a real response you say that the Quick didn't play against strong offenses.

There you go. He played against as strong, or stronger offenses than Lundqvist the past two years and has put up much, much better numbers.
- PancakesPenner

Washington's offense disappears in the playoffs because they have to face Lundqvist every year.

It is not Lundqvist's fault they couldn't score goals against Boston this year.

Washington's offense disappears in the playoffs because they have to face Lundqvist every year.

It is not Lundqvist's fault they couldn't score goals against Boston this year.
- jimbro83

Which is it? Lundqvist's playoff numbers drop because he faces Washington, or Lundqvist makes Washington's offensive numbers drop? You've said both now.

Which is it? Lundqvist's playoff numbers drop because he faces Washington, or Lundqvist makes Washington's offensive numbers drop? You've said both now.
- PancakesPenner

let me ask you, you of the all knowing..

Alex Ovechkin had 23 goals in the last 22 games of this past lockout shortened season, on his way to the Hart Trophy, yet in 7 games in the playoffs, Lundqvist held him to one lucky goal on 30 shots.

is that impressive? or are you going to stick with Lundqvist is mediocre talk

let me ask you, you of the all knowing..

Alex Ovechkin had 23 goals in the last 22 games of this past lockout shortened season, on his way to the Hart Trophy, yet in 7 games in the playoffs, Lundqvist held him to one lucky goal on 30 shots.

is that impressive? or are you going to stick with Lundqvist is mediocre talk
- jimbro83

When did I say Lundqvist is mediocre? Don't confuse me with that guy. Lundqvist is the best goalie in the East by a wide margin. All I'm saying is the argument that Lundqvist faces tough offenses in the playoffs and Quick does not doesn't really hold water. And you can't say Hank's numbers drop in the playoffs because of one team, then say he's amazing enough to make that same team's numbers drop. It's one or the other. I lean more towards the latter.

When did I say Lundqvist is mediocre? Don't confuse me with that guy. Lundqvist is the best goalie in the East by a wide margin. All I'm saying is the argument that Lundqvist faces tough offenses in the playoffs and Quick does not doesn't really hold water. And you can't say Hank's numbers drop in the playoffs because of one team, then say he's amazing enough to make that same team's numbers drop. It's one or the other. I lean more towards the latter.
- PancakesPenner

yeah, I think we should trade him