For Capitals, Rangers, numbers don’t add up

Posted by David Minuk in News You Can Use on April 25, 2009 — 3 Comments

From NHL.com

The numbers are so staggering that even Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom agrees this best-of-7 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal round series against the New York Rangers is just flat out, off the charts, mind-boggling bizarre.

“Kind of weird, yeah,” Backstrom said. “I don’t know what to say, it’s just weird.”

The Caps have outscored the Rangers, 12-7, including a pair of 4-0 whitewashings. They have outshot the Rangers, 170-119. Don’t even try to count how many scoring chances the Caps have had compared the Rangers.

For complete story, click here.

This story just reiterates the value of goaltending in the NHL playoffs. I’ve been hearing (on Satellite radio and the Illegal Curve Radio Show) people discount the value of goaltending in the playoffs. Its been suggested that goalies are over valued these days. Think they think that in Vancouver or Boston? Young Varlamov seems to be working out for the Capitals but I think it just goes to show you how important goaltending is to advance deep into the playoffs.

Bob Roberts

Or the lack thereof, as in the sad case of the Philadelphia Flyer. I’m heartbroken.
http://www.illegalcurve.com david

Ya tough loss tonight. Didn’t expect them to blow a 3 goal lead.
Mikos

Looks like this article continues to ring true as the Caps again dominated play. The Rangers did manage to outshoot the Caps 32-22 and it appears that Varlamov is the surprise goalie of the 2009 playoffs.