The Daily Faceoff Show: What’s going on with Jordan Binnington, Carter Hart and John Gibson?
If there’s one thing that’s clear in the NHL, it’s that goaltenders are, well… voo-doo. They’re arguably the hardest position to evaluate and can be the most volatile, too.
But here at Daily Faceoff, we’ve brought in someone who can help weed through all the goalies and break down what’s actually happening.
And on Thursday’s edition of The Daily Faceoff Show, that’s exactly what former NHL goalie Mike McKenna did when he took looks at St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Binnington, the Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers and John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks.
On Binnington: “I think they’ve really had to rely on Binnington — he’s stolen three out of his six wins this year, straight up. I look at his game Tuesday against Winnipeg when he went 39 for 41 and he was battling better — he’s back.”
On Hart: “I’m prepared to say he’s on the right track (to being as good as he was two years ago). Carter Hart’s game last year whether it was mental, whether it was technical, it was kind of everything when you have the numbers he did last year. I think coming back this season the Flyers are playing better defensively… but I think for Carter Hart the biggest thing is that he has some competition. Martin Jones has come in and he’s played great… I think Hart is on the right track right now.”
On Gibson: “I think Gibson is somebody that when you look at traditional (numbers) and at past experience when the team has been good, and his numbers have always performed. The last two years, not great. You look at this year and you take the advanced metrics for John Gibson: he’s had a .927 save percentage, but when you look at goals saved above expected, he’s 25th in the league — it’s very pedestrian. It’s the eye test with him. GM’s love him, they rate him really high, players do too because he makes those big flashy saves… but that’s not always conducive to good goaltending.”
You can listen to McKenna’s full thoughts on the trio of goalies below.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.