Comments on: 2/27, 1:42 AM - Capitals top Wild, 4-1 http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:19:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: DMG http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-124 DMG Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:32:57 +0000 http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-124 The issues with Kolzig are consistency and age, and the two are related. The NHL median for save percentage is .910. Prior to going to the 60/40 split with Johnson, Kolzig only once this year had two game in a row with a save percentage of .900 or higher - the first three games of the season. Since his reduction in playing time Kolzig has performed better. <a href="http://www.capsblueline.com/2007/12/21/caps-goaltending-needs-an-upgrade/" rel="nofollow">As I noted a while back</a> I still Kolzig is a decent goalie, but whether it's fatigue or a diminished skill set, I don't think he's good enough night in and night out to be an ideal goalie for a playoff team and is really rather best served in a backup or platoon role. I'd rather have Olie play in 40% of the Caps games and play well (especially is the other option is Huet) than have him play in 80% of their games and be one of the worst goalies in the league. To return to my analogy with other sports: once he got older Darrell Green was no longer a shutdown corner but he was a very useful nickel back who could spell the starting corners if need be - I think that's about the point Olie's at in his career. The issues with Kolzig are consistency and age, and the two are related.

The NHL median for save percentage is .910. Prior to going to the 60/40 split with Johnson, Kolzig only once this year had two game in a row with a save percentage of .900 or higher - the first three games of the season. Since his reduction in playing time Kolzig has performed better.

As I noted a while back I still Kolzig is a decent goalie, but whether it’s fatigue or a diminished skill set, I don’t think he’s good enough night in and night out to be an ideal goalie for a playoff team and is really rather best served in a backup or platoon role. I’d rather have Olie play in 40% of the Caps games and play well (especially is the other option is Huet) than have him play in 80% of their games and be one of the worst goalies in the league. To return to my analogy with other sports: once he got older Darrell Green was no longer a shutdown corner but he was a very useful nickel back who could spell the starting corners if need be - I think that’s about the point Olie’s at in his career.

]]> By: DC ONE TIMER http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-123 DC ONE TIMER Thu, 28 Feb 2008 04:06:05 +0000 http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-123 I think he's referring to the consistency which has been the issue for Kolzig. We have seen several great performances, some terrible ones, then many ones where he played fine and then left a softy in ( I.E NYI game last week). He was def a star last night though... I think he’s referring to the consistency which has been the issue for Kolzig. We have seen several great performances, some terrible ones, then many ones where he played fine and then left a softy in ( I.E NYI game last week).

He was def a star last night though…

]]> By: DMG http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-122 DMG Thu, 28 Feb 2008 04:04:11 +0000 http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-122 I do think it's ironic, but I still stand by it because (1) It's just one game and to assume Kolzig will be lights-out because Huet arrived doesn't make any more sense than expecting Brooks Laich to become a point-per-game player based on his performance last night because he's inspired by the trades. It's such a small sample size and I don't think the fact that Olie had a good night against a poor offensive team means he's necessarily back and (2) since January 1, when the Caps beat Ottawa to sweep the season series, Kolzig has a .892 save percentage which, if extrapolated for the whole season, would put him at 41st among NHL goalies. If Kolzig were going to step things up under pressure, shouldn't he have put better than a .863 save percentage in January? (3) In February, Kolzig has played well but he's also had at least two games off between appearances; when Boudreau was riding him hard Kolzig's save percentage was around .860; one he went to 60/40 or so with Johnson, it's gone back up. Thus, if Kolzig plays well down the stretch it's my opinion that it's because of the additional rest he's getting, not his competitive drive bringing him to a higher level. Kolzig can still play in the NHL, just not as often, or as consistently well, as a number one goalie should. I do think it’s ironic, but I still stand by it because

(1) It’s just one game and to assume Kolzig will be lights-out because Huet arrived doesn’t make any more sense than expecting Brooks Laich to become a point-per-game player based on his performance last night because he’s inspired by the trades. It’s such a small sample size and I don’t think the fact that Olie had a good night against a poor offensive team means he’s necessarily back and

(2) since January 1, when the Caps beat Ottawa to sweep the season series, Kolzig has a .892 save percentage which, if extrapolated for the whole season, would put him at 41st among NHL goalies. If Kolzig were going to step things up under pressure, shouldn’t he have put better than a .863 save percentage in January?

(3) In February, Kolzig has played well but he’s also had at least two games off between appearances; when Boudreau was riding him hard Kolzig’s save percentage was around .860; one he went to 60/40 or so with Johnson, it’s gone back up. Thus, if Kolzig plays well down the stretch it’s my opinion that it’s because of the additional rest he’s getting, not his competitive drive bringing him to a higher level. Kolzig can still play in the NHL, just not as often, or as consistently well, as a number one goalie should.

]]> By: Mark http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-121 Mark Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:45:39 +0000 http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-121 DMG - a little ironic that you post: "I doubt he will turn things around with the acquisition of Huet - if Kolzig were going to elevate his game at a crucial time, he most likely would have already done it " and "DMG’s 3 Stars (1) Brooks Laich - 2 goals, 2 assists, +4 (2) Olaf Kolzig - 34 saves on 35 shots (.971 save percentage)" in the same blog don't you think? DMG - a little ironic that you post: “I doubt he will turn things around with the acquisition of Huet - if Kolzig were going to elevate his game at a crucial time, he most likely would have already done it ” and “DMG’s 3 Stars
(1) Brooks Laich - 2 goals, 2 assists, +4
(2) Olaf Kolzig - 34 saves on 35 shots (.971 save percentage)” in the same blog don’t you think?

]]> By: DMG http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-120 DMG Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:33:23 +0000 http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-120 (1) Yeah, I don't know was up with that...it's not like if you just keep saying it it's going to somehow become true! (2/3) The Caps have 19 games left; my guess would be that Huet will play 11 or 12, Kolzig 5 or 6 and Johnson 1 or 2 to stay fresh. I agree - Huet is the starter now (or should be at least), Kolzig is the #2 and Johnson is a reserve. (4) McPhee really impressed me - he was able to address 2 of the team's 3 biggest holes and did so without giving up all that much. I am thrilled about Cooke because although the Caps have some tough guys (Bradley, Laing, Brashear), they don't have someone who will run around and drive the opposition nuts all game. It's going to be good for Pettinger too - he just couldn't get going here this year and going back home to Western Canada should help him (1) Yeah, I don’t know was up with that…it’s not like if you just keep saying it it’s going to somehow become true!

(2/3) The Caps have 19 games left; my guess would be that Huet will play 11 or 12, Kolzig 5 or 6 and Johnson 1 or 2 to stay fresh. I agree - Huet is the starter now (or should be at least), Kolzig is the #2 and Johnson is a reserve.

(4) McPhee really impressed me - he was able to address 2 of the team’s 3 biggest holes and did so without giving up all that much. I am thrilled about Cooke because although the Caps have some tough guys (Bradley, Laing, Brashear), they don’t have someone who will run around and drive the opposition nuts all game. It’s going to be good for Pettinger too - he just couldn’t get going here this year and going back home to Western Canada should help him

]]> By: fauxrumors http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-119 fauxrumors Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:14:37 +0000 http://www.capsblueline.com/2008/02/27/227-142-am-capitals-top-wild-4-1/#comment-119 1) The VBK Semin-AO look alike mentions were very odd! To say it once was silly. To say it over and over showed that he perhaps isn't all that bright/observant? 2) The caps now have a quandry. No matter how they try to dress it, the 3 goalie situation is going to be awkward. Huet we agree will have to play the lions share of remaining games. Can Ollie be effective as the #2 guy? He looked like a #1 last night! 3) Johnson, barring injury, probably won't see much action and bide his time until next year when he'll again be backup to Huet. In the mean time, its going to be interesting how this goalie dynamic unfolds. 4) Else GMGM did a great job yesterday. Cooke for Pettinger is a great move. The Caps needed a guy like that. Feds should help solidify the team with 2 solid scoring lines. Too bad the Devils didn't help you guys out last night! 1) The VBK Semin-AO look alike mentions were very odd! To say it once was silly. To say it over and over showed that he perhaps isn’t all that bright/observant?
2) The caps now have a quandry. No matter how they try to dress it, the 3 goalie situation is going to be awkward. Huet we agree will have to play the lions share of remaining games. Can Ollie be effective as the #2 guy? He looked like a #1 last night!
3) Johnson, barring injury, probably won’t see much action and bide his time until next year when he’ll again be backup to Huet. In the mean time, its going to be interesting how this goalie dynamic unfolds.
4) Else GMGM did a great job yesterday. Cooke for Pettinger is a great move. The Caps needed a guy like that. Feds should help solidify the team with 2 solid scoring lines. Too bad the Devils didn’t help you guys out last night!

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