Penguins Update: The Importance of Goaltending
Hey all. Sorry I’ve been so lax about posting articles to PenguinPoop. Truth be told, my brain’s shifted into offseason mode and the ideas aren’t exactly flowing.
One thing I did want to touch on? The importance of goaltending.
Yeah. I know. Talk about a Captain Obvious statement. But it’s true.
There was no clearer example than Game 6 of the Rangers-Hurricanes series last Thursday night. The ‘Canes entered the third period with a 3-1 lead and all the momentum. They were a virtual lock to push the series to a seventh and deciding game at Madison Square Garden. And we all know anything can happen in a Game 7 (and usually does).
Yet try as they might, the ‘Canes just couldn’t beat Igor Shesterkin for the put-away tally. The all-world netminder made several key stops, including a brilliant save on Jake Guentzel at the side of the net.
Then the Rangers flipped the script. They exploited ‘Canes goalie Frederik Andersen, no slouch himself, for three goals on nine shots to stun their hosts and capture the series.