Interesting tidbit on Halak.

[theohall]

Including the Edmonton game, these are Halak's numbers for his last three games.

1-2, 2.03 GAA, .930 save percentage. This is the equivalent of a top 10 GAA and Save %, granted at the end of the Top 10, but it is still Top 10.

With that GAA and Save % it's on the rest of the team to actually score goals. Yes, Halak sucked earlier, but it looks like he is turning it around.

[cardsfan04]

Yeah, I agree. He seems to be playing better. But, both the rough start and the turnaround are small samples. I'd like to see him sustain his good play for a little while. 3 good games in a row is encouraging. 3 good followed by 3 bad, etc., doesn't work though.

[DaDitka]

I think many of us thought he'd looked better in the last few, I think the complaint was we were saying he played well in games that he still surrendered 4 goals. I fought in the last few he,a looked quite the same, with a little better luck he could have given up a few less. In those games, and he got lucky a few times last night. It's going to be huge for him if be can get on a roll and build some confidence.

[WaukeeBlues]

I think many of us thought he'd looked better in the last few, I think the complaint was we were saying he played well in games that he still surrendered 4 goals. I fought in the last few he,a looked quite the same, with a little better luck he could have given up a few less. In those games, and he got lucky a few times last night. It's going to be huge for him if be can get on a roll and build some confidence.

And if that shutout doesn't go a long way I don't know what does.

[Oaklandblue]

It's funny that he has his first 'good' game (a shutout, not to mention a clear and solid win) at the game where they honoured Demitra and Korolev. Halak has Demitra immortalized on the back of his mask, so it makes me wonder if his real issue was emotional. If so, can he move past it or will it linger in the back of his mind? We talk about confidence killers in netminders quite abit, could this be an ongoing issue?

[cprice12]

Halak was good...but he was lucky the Hawks didn't score a couple.
Their disallowed goal should have counted...and I think Mayers hit the post with Halak down.

But, on the other hand, that stuff happens all of the time. Teams miss good scoring chances every night against all goalies...chances they probably should have buried. So knocking down Halak's performance based on that is a little off base.

He has been better the past few games...but something still isn't quite right. Maybe I'm being overly picky, but damnit, I want a rock solid goalie night in and night out that frustrates other teams.

[DaDitka]

Halak was good...but he was lucky the Hawks didn't score a couple.
Their disallowed goal should have counted...and I think Mayers hit the post with Halak down.

But, on the other hand, that stuff happens all of the time. Teams miss good scoring chances every night against all goalies...chances they probably should have buried. So knocking down Halak's performance based on that is a little off base.

He has been better the past few games...but something still isn't quite right. Maybe I'm being overly picky, but damnit, I want a rock solid goalie night in and night out that frustrates other teams.

I completely agree on all points. I pointed that out during the game that he easily could have surrendered three or more goals that night too....but he didn't.

And it's my hope that between Hitch starting him in his first game behind the bench and getting that shutout at home against the Hawks goes a long way to flipping that switch clearly in his mind that takes him from a decent #2 goalie to the franchise net minder we all thought we were getting when the team traded for him.

[STLADOGG]

Halak was good...but he was lucky the Hawks didn't score a couple.
Their disallowed goal should have counted...and I think Mayers hit the post with Halak down.

But, on the other hand, that stuff happens all of the time. Teams miss good scoring chances every night against all goalies...chances they probably should have buried. So knocking down Halak's performance based on that is a little off base.

He has been better the past few games...but something still isn't quite right. Maybe I'm being overly picky, but damnit, I want a rock solid goalie night in and night out that frustrates other teams.

Hopefully, this will build up his confidence.

[thedoc]

Obviously I hope he turns it around. While I support Elliot I don't think he is a number 1 goalie. That being said I'm still not sure Halak is either. I think by the end of this month we will have enough time under Hitch to be able to get a feel how the season is going to go. IMO.

[theohall]

One thing about Elliot, he once had a 9-0 stretch with the Senators. And then fell apart.

[Oaklandblue]

One thing about Elliot, he once had a 9-0 stretch with the Senators. And then fell apart.

I think if Halak's 'issues' with being streaky are under control, and if Elliott stays hot when Halak isn't and vice versa we may have the tandem we need to make the playoffs and go deep. They both are fighters wanting ice time and maybe that was Halak's problem, that there was no one he had to fight for and with the money we're paying him, he's #1 and he got lazy or emotional or whatever. If they both stay at odds with each other and compete for time, nothing but good can come out of that, especially with the positive attitude that Elliott brings. I have no idea where Halak's attitude is beyond what he's said to the media and he always talks as if he's saying 'read between the lines of what I'm saying'. Anyone notice that too, or is it just me?

[WaukeeBlues]

He's now on the All-Star Ballot...