Meanwhile, the goal-against averages of Blues goalies Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott are dropping quicker than the frigid temperatures outside in the metro-east. Elliott (18-5-2, 1.63 goals-against average, five shutouts) and Halak (16-9-5, 1.97 goals-against average, six shutouts) have a chance to become only the second goaltending tandem in Blues history to finish with goals-against averages below 2.00.
That last happened during the Blues' Presidents Trophy season of 1999-2000, when they won 51 games and piled up 114 points. Roman Turek (42 wins, 1.95 goals-against) and backup Jamie McLennan (9 wins, 1.96 goals-against) were in the nets that season.
Halak and Elliott have combined for 11 shutouts, just two behind the Blues' all-time record of 13 set by Hall of Famers Jacques Plante and Glenn Hall in 1968-69. Despite a 1-6 start this season, Halak has rebounded in a big way. He is 13-2-3 in last 19 starts since Nov. 29 with a 1.66 goals-against average and has five shutouts in his last 10 starts.
Then we'd be in a situation where the deal doesn't make sense for us. We don't need to go out and get a star winger, and we certainly don't need to create a hole in our team when doing so. If Yakupov was a star center, then things might be different.
In terms of value, if Columbus are actively looking to move the first overall, then Halak, Stewart and our first is probably a good starting point. I think other teams would offer more though. But with the way that Columbus are run, who knows what kind of decisions they'd make. Nash should have been moved at the deadline so they knew exactly what they needed done in the off season.
Yeah it would be a weird trade and Columbus would have to initiate the proposal but I'd give up one of the goalies and Stewart and the first for the #1 overall without even thinking about it, because the value that represents is so high.
Yea 1st, Stewart, Halak/Elliott for the 1st overall is a no brainer, especially when you considering how long we'll have that 1st overall in a Blues uniform compared to how long Halak and Elliott will be here, with their current deals.
It'd be ridiculous to add Yakupov and Tarasenko next season, ridiculous.
At this point, I have no idea what Hitchcock is going to do with his goalies. I still don't get it, but Halak seems to have some bad luck of the team not playing as well some of the time when he's in net. I can't quite figure that.
I'm guessing he'll probably have Halak start game 1 and 2 with Elliott scheduled to start game 3 regardless of the outcome of the first two? Also, possibly this will be his plan, and the players will know...but the outside media/fans won't be privy.
Hitchcock has so many pieces to play with right now, he has a great opportunity to show he is a Hall of Fame coach. What those moves are....I'm not sure.
At this point, I have no idea what Hitchcock is going to do with his goalies. I still don't get it, but Halak seems to have some bad luck of the team not playing as well some of the time when he's in net. I can't quite figure that.
I'm guessing he'll probably have Halak start game 1 and 2 with Elliott scheduled to start game 3 regardless of the outcome of the first two? Also, possibly this will be his plan, and the players will know...but the outside media/fans won't be privy.
Hitchcock has so many pieces to play with right now, he has a great opportunity to show he is a Hall of Fame coach. What those moves are....I'm not sure.
If I were coach.
This job now is Elliot's to win and not Halaks to lose.
Play Elliot against strong contenders ( DET) and If he earns it he gets the start the next game.
Stop with the "it doesn't matter if one goaltender leads the league in every stat, is an Allstar and has 3 shutouts in a row im starting the other guy because he's fragile" ****.
Im not convinced BE is better, but he has earned the chance to prove it.
I agree Halak should get the majority of games in the playoffs which is why it makes no sense that we still refuse to play Elliott down the stretch here. Elliott deserves more...he may even be better than Halak.
Anybody else like me and could care less which goalie gets the start for the playoffs? They are BOTH great goalies and I'm sure Hitchcock will use them wisely. IMO it should be more about who's rested the most then who's "hot" because both of these guys can put on a great performance on any given night. Also, these are 7 game series we're talking about...if one goalie does get cold then you simply switch em up. One thing is for sure...not knowing which one will start is a great problem for Hitchcock to have going into the playoffs.
Elliot was awesome last night. He got hung out to dry on both regulation goals. As far as who starts in the playoffs.. Ride the hot hand and know the back up is more then capable of coming in and stealing games. Its win win!
I've felt a little more comfortable with Elliott all season and nothing's really happened in the past few weeks to change that. All things considered, Halak has been fantastic since his rough October, but of the two goalies he's shown to be more prone to letting in soft goals. Right or wrong, when Halak starts, I sometimes need to see him make those first couple of good saves before I really start to feel "confident" in him for that particular game. I don't get that feeling with Elliott. I'm not saying Elliott is hands-down the better goalie, as Halak's had more career consistency and obviously he's got that monster playoff run on his resume, but ultimately I think Elliott's been the better of the two this year. If Hitch gives the nod to Halak I won't be disappointed - I just hope it's because he genuinely believes Halak gives the Blues the best chance to win in the playoffs and not because people are worried about hurt feelings, contracts, or who was the team's designated "starter" back in October.
Last edited by kittensmasher: 04-05-2012 at 08:36 AM.
The great thing about Jaroslav Halak is that he's a winner,under pressure situation he comes out big.There' no doubt in my mind that this guy is going to lead us to the cup or bring us pretty close.Blues fans are going to remember this years playoffs.If there's anything then we can rely on Elliot to rest Jaroslav a bit.
