I think Dubnyk has had a ton of mediocre games. Some of them he let in bloopers, some of them he just did make any really impressive saves. This is closer to the latter, and while I don't think he's COMPLETELY EXEMPT from blame, he's far down the list in terms of the reason we lost.
- Morris

We have gotten better in every category from last year, hits, faceoffs all the things we were struggling in, we got better on paper for our Defense and our bottom 6, the only thing that has regressed is goaltending. I never blames Dubnyk last year, I was the guy defending him non stop while all my friends ragged on him, this year I'm ragging on him and everyone is defending him. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. He's not far down the list for this season, he is the list. I played goalie growing up, at a very competitive level, I hate, HATE, blaming goalies. But in the case the shoe doesn't just fit, that poop was molded to his foot.

By that same token, every goalie has bad games. What of the last 5 games where Dubnyk was either keeping the team in, or keeping them ahead? When the team plays well, Dubnyk is also usually playing well, too.
- MaximumBone

Dubnyk has had 3 good games this year, he hasn't kept us in games at all. Every goalie has bad games yes, the difference between good goalies and bad goalies is the frequency of those bad games. Dubnyk has had 3-4, maybe even 5 good games all year out of 18 starts, that makes him the problem.

They changed their coach (full systems revamp), their young forwards developed further (Johnson, Stamkos, Panik, and Palat), three of their Dmen made big strides in the offseason (Gudas, Sustr, and Hedman), AND they brought in Bishop. So no, they didn't JUST change their goalie...

Edit: They also replaced Lecavalier with a stronger two-way player in Filppula.
- MaximumBone

Filppula is a stronger two-way player than Lecavlier? that's news to me... Our young forwards haven't developed further? our defense didn't improve? our couching and systems didn't change? Tampa still isn't a good team defensively, the biggest difference in Tampa this year is BY FAR the goaltending, funny how they're still winning games missing Stamkos, also funny how they've been outshot almost every single game, just like Toronto, and are still winning, just like Toronto. What was the biggest change on both of those teams? Oh yea, goaltending.

What if Bishop hadn't made that save? Would you have blamed him?

Do you want me to find videos of EVERY GOALIE IN THE NHL getting beat on 2 on 1s?
- Morris

Obviously I wouldn't have blamed him. Difference is he's making those saves on defensive breakdowns. Our goalie isn't, if you can't make the tough saves in the NHL, then wtf are you doing in the NHL?

Edit: The difference is, if that's on Dubnyk it's a goal no questions asked, and everyone goes "well he had no chance on that, it's the defense's fault" and that's getting pretty (frank)ing old. If you can't make the tough saves (and in Dubnyks case, a lot of the easy saves) then you don't belong in the NHL.

And top in the East (actually 2nd) makes it sound like they're not 10th in the league, hardly outplayed by either Buffalo or Edmonton, and have half a dozen games where they allowed 5+ goals, same as Edmonton
- Morris

Half a dozen games where they've let in 5+ goals? Are you even paying attention to the east? Bishop has a 2.08 gaa, and Lindback is at 3.26... Labarbera is 3.69 and Dubnyk is at 3.32

I disagree vehemently with your analysis of all of the goals.

Goal #1 was a clear cut breakaway against one of the slickest pairs of hands in the league. It's on the players to not allow those to happen- ESPECIALLY not while on the PP.

Goal #2 was partly Dubnyk's fault, but when you're surrounded by 3 opposition players in the crease being misplayed- 2 of which who aren't being covered (Toews and Kane left open while the 3 defenders decided to gang-rape Shaw)- then it's bound to go in eventually. In hindsight, he probably shouldn't have went down, but had one of the D held up Shaw's stick for even a second instead of merely cross-checking him to all hell, Dubynk would've covered that.

Goal #3 was a weird one that's almost exclusively on the defense. They're blocking Dubynk's sight-lines almost entirely with a 3-man screen (Potter, N Schultz, and Smith) and attempt- and fail- to block the oncoming shot. They blinded Dubynk and then didn't succesfully block the shot. If you're going to screen your own goalie, it's your job to make sure that the shot is blocked or deflected out of harm's way. They failed and then made the "brilliant" play of punching the puck into their own net. Dubynk WAS in position to cover the rebound, but Potter screwed it up.

I can see your point on the 4th goal, but you also need to consider what Ference did there. Ference's job in that situation is to take away at least one of the options either by sprawling out and blocking the pass, or taking the man and forcing the pass. He did neither properly. As Ference chose to sprawl, Dubnyk was right to dedicate to the shooter. Unfortunately for both of them, a few things went wrong. First, Ference didn't fully block the passing lane and left about 5 open feet between his sprawl and the crease. Secondly, Morin pulled around Ference's sprawl and was able to make a beautiful pass to the trailer (Shaw) who was completely uncovered.

Obviously the goaltender's responsibility is to bail out his skaters when they make a mistake so some of the blame still lies with Dubnyk, but to say that his play was the main factor on any of those goals is wrong. 2 were situations that shouldn't have happened in the first place and the other 2 were misplays in the front of the net. I don't buy the blaming the goaltender excuse when the defense is THIS bad.
- MaximumBone

Thank effin god. I was starting to lose faith. Dubnyk has earned his share of the blame many times this season.
This wasnt one of them. And neither has it been his fault in a game for weeks if not more.

This was a terrible blog

Filppula is a stronger two-way player than Lecavlier? that's news to me... Our young forwards haven't developed further? our defense didn't improve? our couching and systems didn't change? Tampa still isn't a good team defensively, the biggest difference in Tampa this year is BY FAR the goaltending, funny how they're still winning games missing Stamkos, also funny how they've been outshot almost every single game, just like Toronto, and are still winning, just like Toronto. What was the biggest change on both of those teams? Oh yea, goaltending.
- SpoiledByOil

Yeah, apparently they got worse.

Is this an argument that Bishop is playing better than Dubnyk? Why waste our time on that? It's clear Bishop is. Just because Dubnyk has had bad games though, doesn't mean every goal against is entirely/mostly his fault. Literally speaking, he's got a chance on every goal, but I feel like you're letting past performances characterize last game. And in the context of last game, Dubnyk was not nearly the major problem.

Filppula is a stronger two-way player than Lecavlier? that's news to me... Our young forwards haven't developed further? our defense didn't improve? our couching and systems didn't change? Tampa still isn't a good team defensively, the biggest difference in Tampa this year is BY FAR the goaltending, funny how they're still winning games missing Stamkos, also funny how they've been outshot almost every single game, just like Toronto, and are still winning, just like Toronto. What was the biggest change on both of those teams? Oh yea, goaltending.
- SpoiledByOil

Filppula is better two ways than vinny.
It wasnt even till this year that vf has been given a real opportunity to concentrate on offence.
Tbays defence is better than ours. Hedman has developed beautifully.
And tbay has let in 5+ goals half a dozen times.

Half a dozen games where they've let in 5+ goals? Are you even paying attention to the east? Bishop has a 2.08 gaa, and Lindback is at 3.26... Labarbera is 3.69 and Dubnyk is at 3.32
- SpoiledByOil

Well, that's fact. They've all over the place.

They've reached that GAA by having shutouts and nice games bookended by 5 goals against LA, 6 goals against PHX, 5 goals against SJS, 5 goals against BOS, 5 goals against CHI, 5 goals against PITT

Yeah, apparently they got worse.

Is this an argument that Bishop is playing better than Dubnyk? Why waste our time on that? It's clear Bishop is. Just because Dubnyk has had bad games though, doesn't mean every goal against is entirely/mostly his fault. Literally speaking, he's got a chance on every goal, buI feel like you're letting past performances characterize last game. And in the context of last game, Dubnyk was not nearly the major problem.
- Morris

I was thinking this exactly.

Because of his early struggles, he's been vilified for lack of a better word. ( its 7am)
And the easy route is to just blame him now it seems.

Toews move was digusting. A puck scramble. An own goal, and a 3 on 1.
What are people thinking blsming that game on him!!?
Too funny.

Not only that, but it was mostly crickets in here while dubs played well numerous times. Unless he let in one mediocre goal against 25 great saves all night.

We'd still 100% be below .500 with rask in net for us.

Defensive breakdown, why couldn't Carey Price bail them out?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr_qJj-92xc

Nasvhille blows their assignment, but God Pekka Rinne needs to make this save!
http://youtu.be/D3VjC-ksRZE?t=47s

Give up the slowest 3 on 2 that ever was, AND don't take the shooter/force a pass? There's someone to blame here, and I think his name is HENRIK LUNDQVIST
http://youtu.be/h6toppcPGpo?t=1m18s

Lose a 1 on 2 battle and give up a shorthanded breakaway? (frank) you Tukka Rask.
http://youtu.be/N23OdjXTjHE?t=1m32s

On the other hand:
Routine save here by Dubnyk *Yawn*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RirqaY3ph_o

This is pretty much the bare minimum for being an NHL goalie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpCEJP6SNNk

Defense played this perfectly and made it easy for Dubnyk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXrEv930_KU

Yeah, apparently they got worse.

Is this an argument that Bishop is playing better than Dubnyk? Why waste our time on that? It's clear Bishop is. Just because Dubnyk has had bad games though, doesn't mean every goal against is entirely/mostly his fault. Literally speaking, he's got a chance on every goal, but I feel like you're letting past performances characterize last game. And in the context of last game, Dubnyk was not nearly the major problem.
- Morris

The argument is on what a good goaltender does for a team and whether or not Dubnyk is that guy. Colorado got good goaltending, zero to hero, Toronto got good goaltending, zero to hero, Tampa got good goaltending, zero to hero. None of these teams made any more improvements/changes to their teams over the off season than the Oilers, the main difference is the level of goaltending they're receiving. If we were to have gotten Bishop or Berneir in the off season, we'd easily be at least a .500 team.

The argument is on what a good goaltender does for a team and whether or not Dubnyk is that guy. Colorado got good goaltending, zero to hero, Toronto got good goaltending, zero to hero, Tampa got good goaltending, zero to hero. None of these teams made any more improvements/changes to their teams over the off season than the Oilers, the main difference is the level of goaltending they're receiving. If we were to have gotten Bishop or Berneir in the off season, we'd easily be at least a .500 team.
- SpoiledByOil

Yeah, that's true. That's a perfect explanation of what happened at the beginning of the year.

It's a downright poopty explanation of what happened in the Chicago game. Period.

Defensive breakdown, why couldn't Carey Price bail them out?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr_qJj-92xc

Nasvhille blows their assignment, but God Pekka Rinne needs to make this save!
http://youtu.be/D3VjC-ksRZE?t=47s

Give up the slowest 3 on 2 that ever was, AND don't take the shooter/force a pass? There's someone to blame here, and I think his name is HENRIK LUNDQVIST
http://youtu.be/h6toppcPGpo?t=1m18s

Lose a 1 on 2 battle and give up a shorthanded breakaway? (frank) you Tukka Rask.
http://youtu.be/N23OdjXTjHE?t=1m32s

On the other hand:
Routine save here by Dubnyk *Yawn*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RirqaY3ph_o

This is pretty much the bare minimum for being an NHL goalie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpCEJP6SNNk

Defense played this perfectly and made it easy for Dubnyk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXrEv930_KU
- Morris

Oh now we're comparing individual goals? The difference is the consistency in making the saves and letting them in, Dubnyk lets them in far more than he saves him. it's pretty (frank)ing pathetic how many people are trying to stand up for easily the worst (frank)ing goalie in the league right now WTF is wrong with everyone.

Yeah, that's true. That's a perfect explanation of what happened at the beginning of the year.

It's a downright poopty explanation of what happened in the Chicago game. Period.
- Morris

I don't care about the Chicago game, that's 1 game in 25 this year, Dubnyk has looked like a legitimate NHL goalie in maybe 4 of those games..... That's not good enough to be in the NHL, that's a Huge problem.

Defensive breakdown, why couldn't Carey Price bail them out?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr_qJj-92xc

Nasvhille blows their assignment, but God Pekka Rinne needs to make this save!
http://youtu.be/D3VjC-ksRZE?t=47s

Give up the slowest 3 on 2 that ever was, AND don't take the shooter/force a pass? There's someone to blame here, and I think his name is HENRIK LUNDQVIST
http://youtu.be/h6toppcPGpo?t=1m18s

Lose a 1 on 2 battle and give up a shorthanded breakaway? (frank) you Tukka Rask.
http://youtu.be/N23OdjXTjHE?t=1m32s

On the other hand:
Routine save here by Dubnyk *Yawn*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RirqaY3ph_o

This is pretty much the bare minimum for being an NHL goalie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpCEJP6SNNk

Defense played this perfectly and made it easy for Dubnyk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXrEv930_KU
- Morris

I guess we've all just decided to forget how brutal our team defence has been.
It's dubs fault!!

I wonder if people are blaming bryzgalov for the 5th goal??..

Oh now we're comparing individual goals? The difference is the consistency in making the saves and letting them in, Dubnyk lets them in far more than he saves him. it's pretty (frank)ing pathetic how many people are trying to stand up for easily the worst (frank)ing goalie in the league right now WTF is wrong with everyone.
- SpoiledByOil

The blog was about the "didn't have a chance" excuse as it pertains to Dubnyk and the Chicago game. Most of us have already said that that excuse is of course not literally true, but that even given Dubnyk's lacklustre play, it's tough to blame him for the Chicago game.

Capiche?

I don't care about the Chicago game, that's 1 game in 25 this year, Dubnyk has looked like a legitimate NHL goalie in maybe 4 of those games..... That's not good enough to be in the NHL, that's a Huge problem.
- SpoiledByOil

Then what the (frank) are you talking about? This is a blog about Dubnyk and the Chicago game, which we think is bullpoop, and you came in guns blazing about Ben Bishop

I don't care about the Chicago game, that's 1 game in 25 this year, Dubnyk has looked like a legitimate NHL goalie in maybe 4 of those games..... That's not good enough to be in the NHL, that's a Huge problem.
- SpoiledByOil

Well he was named 3rd star of the week last week with 3 wins.

So which was the only other one?

Well he was named 3rd star of the week last week with 3 wins.

So which was the only other one?
- hugefemale dog77

in at least two of his wins he played like an ECHLer apparently.

Filppula is a stronger two-way player than Lecavlier? that's news to me... Our young forwards haven't developed further? our defense didn't improve? our couching and systems didn't change? Tampa still isn't a good team defensively, the biggest difference in Tampa this year is BY FAR the goaltending, funny how they're still winning games missing Stamkos, also funny how they've been outshot almost every single game, just like Toronto, and are still winning, just like Toronto. What was the biggest change on both of those teams? Oh yea, goaltending.
- SpoiledByOil

Yes Valterri IS a stronger two-way player. By a good deal, too.

Not in the finers points of the game (defense, keeping-it-simple, etc).

Our defense was improved, but only marginally. Ference is being miscast as a top-3 Dman and Petry is still our #1.

Our coaching change hasn't been close to as fluid as Cooper's. Also, Cooper was the coach of the Lightning's AHL affiliate so he came in knowing a good deal of the players. ALSO, Cooper came in at the TDD of last season so they had their adjustment period then instead of early THIS season.

Don't get me wrong; Bishop has been great. Tampa is my Eastern team so I'm mad stoked that he's performing. However, I don't think his numbers are sustainable. He's a solid goaltender, but is he ".930 Sv% and 2.00 GAA" good consistently? Likely not. I highly doubt they maintain this pace all season.

Also, there's a difference between getting outshot by 1.3 shots/game (Tampa) and getting outshot by 10.7 shots/game. The latter is gonna come back to bite them in the ass.

I guess we've all just decided to forget how brutal our team defence has been.
It's dubs fault!!

I wonder if people are blaming bryzgalov for the 5th goal??..
- hugefemale dog77

Bryz let in 1 goal on 13 shots.

Well he was named 3rd star of the week last week with 3 wins.

So which was the only other one?
- hugefemale dog77

3rd star of the week because 3 of his 4 good games were all in that week, doesn't make up for his play. If was putting up even slightly less than average numbers this year we'd be a lot closer to .500.

Then what the (frank) are you talking about? This is a blog about Dubnyk and the Chicago game, which we think is bullpoop, and you came in guns blazing about Ben Bishop
- Morris

I'm talking about his performance for this WHOLE YEAR, he's been absolutely brutal, and it's not everyones fault but his, he's a big problem.

Bryz let in 1 goal on 13 shots.
- SpoiledByOil

And our water mark of comparison Ben bishop let in 3 goals on 13 shots last week