Following last night's game against the Penguins, the Habs have now lost 7 of 8 shootouts this season. Considering how important each and every point in the standings is over the course of a season, this is obviously a major issue. Having won 5 or 6 of this season's shootouts would have the team just 4 or 5 points outside of a playoff spot instead of 9 which would be much more reasonable.
Many people weren't happy with Cunneyworth's decision to have Gomez as one of his shooters last night. I can understand the frustration, however as you can see from the career numbers below, his choices are rather limited in terms of players with a history of success in shootouts, especially with Gionta out of the lineup.
A lot of fans have also laid the blame for the team's struggles in shootout this season on Price's performance (10 goals against on 20 shots this year). However, the Habs' shooters have only scored 4 times on a total of 26 attempts.
All that being said, how do you think the Habs can go about improving in the shootout? Would you prefer selecting the shooters based off past shootout success, performance in the night's game, or maybe recent ability in practice? Who would be your top three shooters for the rest of the season? Do you think specific payers should be targeted during the offseason to help in the shootout for next year?
Two things you need to win shootouts, a good goalie or good shooters, habs don't have any of the two. You fall on hard times when you don't have either.
This team is 2 d-man, one top 6 and two bottom 6 away from being an average team not to speak of being contender's, just average.
The management people missed the boat not signing size or 1 or 2 tough guys last couple of years. It's a free pass for all teams coming in to play the habs anymore.
Its a joke and Mulbury was right in what he said, this team needs to shape up or get the **** out of the NHL, no compete anymore
I'd agree with giving Eller more opportunities. His puck control is excellent and he scored a nice one on that penalty shot against Winnipeg. Bourque seems to have a great shot too, wouldn't be opposed to seeing how he does.
This is why I did not find the selection of kaberle to be strange. Nobody is scoring in the shootout this year, so you might as well play with career percentages and try something different.
As for gomez, I didnt like that selection even though he's one of our better career shooters... he hasn't been a regular shooter for us since 09/10. He did score a couple goals early on in that year, but for a guy who hasn't scored in an actual game for over a year, it just feels hopeless.
Two things you need to win shootouts, a good goalie or good shooters, habs don't have any of the two. You fall on hard times when you don't have either.
This team is 2 d-man, one top 6 and two bottom 6 away from being an average team not to speak of being contender's, just average.
The management people missed the boat not signing size or 1 or 2 tough guys last couple of years. It's a free pass for all teams coming in to play the habs anymore.
Its a joke and Mulbury was right in what he said, this team needs to shape up or get the **** out of the NHL, no compete anymore
St. Louis is 1 - 5 in shootouts. Colorado 7 - 0. Should we even compare the goaltending between the two teams? How about the offence?
I don't think you're in the minority with that opinion, but regardless they're part of the game and it's one of the big reasons the Habs aren't closer to a playoff spot this season. I think the shootout is something GM's have to at least take into consideration while building their teams these days.
I don't like to rag on coaches too much for shootout choices. There's so much wacky stuff, goaltending and luck involved. As far as using stats, shootouts seem akin to faceoffs, where it takes hundreds to get some reliable data, and we don't have those numbers.
As far as whole whole concept, I like the occasional shootout, but I prefer games that are decided in overtime. I forget which media member proposed this, but I like the notion of 10 minutes of 4 vs 4 OT before shootout, rather than 5 minutes. This would make shootouts more of a rare treat for fans, and less of something where a fluky streak can make or break a team's season.
I don't like to rag on coaches too much for shootout choices. There's so much wacky stuff, goaltending and luck involved. As far as using stats, shootouts seem akin to faceoffs, where it takes hundreds to get some reliable data, and we don't have those numbers.
As far as whole whole concept, I like the occasional shootout, but I prefer games that are decided in overtime. I forget which media member proposed this, but I like the notion of 10 minutes of 4 vs 4 OT before shootout, rather than 5 minutes. This would make shootouts more of a rare treat for fans, and less of something where a fluky streak can make or break a team's season.
Don't hate it, but would prefer to see 5 shooters instead of 3 prior to elimination round. A 10 min OT 4 on 4 would be a good idea before heading to the shootout.
