Why give Hart a break? This is a crucial game and he played well 2 nights ago.
- Daceroni

- He just came back from an injury
- He doesn't play that well on the road
- Elliott won the first two games vs CBJ
- Would be nice to keep Elliott "warm"
- Just a feeling. It's tough to win both games of a home and home.

You guys realize Hart's SV% isnt much better at 0.908......
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Hart's home/road splits are absurb extremes this year -- and it's likely an abberation, because he was actually slightly better on the road than at home last year and his prior splits were always very similar.

Road: 3-10-1, 3.88 GAA, .855 SV%
Home: 15-2-2, 1.62 GAA, .943 SV%

Hasn't been terrible. Just like Hart's road numbers, Elliott's been the goalie in some games where the bottom totally dropped out on the team and it pulled his stats down with it.

Overall, the key number on Elliott is his 10-5-2 road record. He's been good in most of those games.
- bmeltzer

Bill don't you know that win/lose record has nothing to do with how a goalie plays

Question

Flyers are one of the best teams in the league at shot suppression? While that is great doesn't that affect save % to some extent?

G takes a team friendly deal and Coots get paid. If the Flyers are true contenders, Coots will give a hometown discount.
- wcorvette

Couturier is already on a riduculously one-sided deal in Philly's favor. His agent, Gilles Lupien, has a rep as one of the most compromise-friendly guys in the business but he's going to demand that Couturier get a huge bump in pay when it comes up again. No hometown discount next time. Can't blame them. Couturier has been extremely underpaid during the prime of his career.

Couturier is already on a riduculously one-sided deal in Philly's favor. His agent, Gilles Lupien, has a rep as one of the most compromise-friendly guys in the business but he's going to demand that Couturier get a huge bump in pay when it comes up again. No hometown discount next time. Can't blame them. Couturier has been extremely underpaid during the prime of his career.
- bmeltzer

If the cap moves up Coots is gonna get at least 9 mill per year

Bill don't you know that win/lose record has nothing to do with how a goalie plays

Question

Flyers are one of the best teams in the league at shot suppression? While that is great doesn't that affect save % to some extent?
- wcorvette

Yup, win/loss has nothing to do with the timeliness of saves/goals over the course of a season. All random luck and goal support .

Yes, it does affect save percentage. Given their druthers, many goalies would rather face 30+ routine shots than a low volume where there's two unstoppable ones and perhaps one more where a save isn't impossible but also far from routine.

Devils looking like a playoff team. Wave to them bye
- Just5

Hasn't been terrible. Just like Hart's road numbers, Elliott's been the goalie in some games where the bottom totally dropped out on the team and it pulled his stats down with it.

Overall, the key number on Elliott is his 10-5-2 road record. He's been good in most of those games.
- bmeltzer

Bill, I should have included a sarcasm disclaimer. I think Elliott has played well and given us everything we've needed from a backup. As I posted before, I agree some of his stats have been cooked by games where the team hasn't shown up and he's been pulled early.

The most important stat to me is W/L record but you make a good point about his road record as well. Having watched most games this year, I find that he's been solid and made big saves at critical points during games that we've won.

Bill don't you know that win/lose record has nothing to do with how a goalie plays

Question

Flyers are one of the best teams in the league at shot suppression? While that is great doesn't that affect save % to some extent?
- wcorvette

Further to this, wasn't Moose 4-0-1 with Hart out (I could be wrong on exact record). I find he stepped up big and kept the ship moving forward when it might have gone off the rails

Ghost sent to the Phantoms.

http://www.phantomshockey...ns-phantoms-conditioning/

Bill don't you know that win/lose record has nothing to do with how a goalie plays
- wcorvette

Bishop is 21-12-4.

Holtby is 21-13-4.

Only one of those guys is having a great season, but I'm sure you won't be able to figure out which one it is.

Bishop is 21-12-4.

Holtby is 21-13-4.

Only one of those guys is having a great season, but I'm sure you won't be able to figure out which one it is.
- Feanor

Bishop.

Holtby has struggled this season but has picked up his play of late. Caps havent been that great defensively either.

Bishop is 21-12-4.

Holtby is 21-13-4.

Only one of those guys is having a great season, but I'm sure you won't be able to figure out which one it is.
- Feanor

glad you are sure

Couturier is already on a riduculously one-sided deal in Philly's favor. His agent, Gilles Lupien, has a rep as one of the most compromise-friendly guys in the business but he's going to demand that Couturier get a huge bump in pay when it comes up again. No hometown discount next time. Can't blame them. Couturier has been extremely underpaid during the prime of his career.
- bmeltzer

I agree, when I referred to hometown discount it was probably to strong. I think if they are contending, Coot might give a little but I fully believe he will get paid and he should.

Bishop.

Holtby has struggled this season but has picked up his play of late. Caps havent been that great defensively either.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Clearly you have watched every Stars and Caps game this season, though. If you hadn't, there would be no way of knowing that Bishop was playing better than Holtby. Or that Holtby was playing worse than his previous seasons. Certainly nothing here gives any indication.

https://www.hockey-refere.../players/h/holtbbr01.html

From previous blog

Coots is only 27. I think he has more than 5 years left. Even if his offense doesnt remain at this peak he will always be a great defensive center

I think G's career will last longer than 2 more years especially if he plays at wing.
- bulet13

I would be concerned with his skating. Jordan Staal is still a useful two way center but he’s not the same two defensive center he was 5 years ago. Same for Ryan Kessler. I can lose that defensive Prowess to younger, speeder, players as the game passes you by.

I hope you’re right though. Should Coots lose his offense, we need a guy to carry the mantle on the first line.

Clearly you have watched every Stars and Caps game this season, though. If you hadn't, there would be no way of knowing that Bishop was playing better than Holtby. Or that Holtby was playing worse than his previous seasons. Certainly nothing here gives any indication.

https://www.hockey-refere.../players/h/holtbbr01.html
- Feanor

I havent watched one Stars game. I play Fantasy hockey and I keep aware of all players stats. I had Samsonov for a stretch

Tonight is a very exciting game. First Nation arena hasn’t been friendly to us. I’ve seen us lose live there twice. It sucks!!

Let's go Flyers!

I'd start Elliott. Give Hart a break.
- jsh139

There is absolutely no need or reason to give Hart a break.

I know alot of the fans on this seem to post that this is just a building year and we're not true contenders, however I truly disagree, Look at the lineup Carolina iced last year into the playoffs, On paper we're not worse and in many ways "better", This team has slowly gained an identity and it sure seems like they're playing with some game plans, I'm looking forward to what coach does come playoffs with adjustments, personnel and what not. Who are we afraid to face, Tampa and Boston? No one wants to face them but we can win a 7 series against either - Power play really needs to get hot.
- GPerogie

Difference between a playoff team and a true contender. Don't mess up a good thing.

Ghost sent to the Phantoms.

http://www.phantomshockey...ns-phantoms-conditioning/
- Feanor

Good. Head and hopefully score some to boost his confidence returning.

There is absolutely no need or reason to give Hart a break.
- MJL

Exactly you ride the hot hand and reward him for his game on Tuesday, with the day off yesterday he should be well rested. If you continue to shelter him on the road tough to get better there.

Couturier is already on a riduculously one-sided deal in Philly's favor. His agent, Gilles Lupien, has a rep as one of the most compromise-friendly guys in the business but he's going to demand that Couturier get a huge bump in pay when it comes up again. No hometown discount next time. Can't blame them. Couturier has been extremely underpaid during the prime of his career.
- bmeltzer

same thing happened to Simmonds (of course Couturier's worth is more).

Hasn't been terrible. Just like Hart's road numbers, Elliott's been the goalie in some games where the bottom totally dropped out on the team and it pulled his stats down with it.

Overall, the key number on Elliott is his 10-5-2 road record. He's been good in most of those games.
- bmeltzer

Nonsense Bill. Skewed advanced stats are the end-all-be-all way to evaluate a player

[quote=Ftown19125]