Goaltending Showdown - Reimer vs. Bernier

[ZBBM]

Now 7 of his last 8 games (excluding the CLB game because it was only 8:00) that Bernier has been at .900 or below.

Yeah, the more I see of both of them, the more I think Reimer is the better goalie. You can see Bernier's skills, but, he doesn't seem to have the same level of focus that Reimer has, and he's been letting in a few questionable goals.

Bernier has been the lesser of the two recently, but I think in the long run he'll be the better one.  But that's just because I favor calm in the crease over the more Cujoish/Hasekish active types.

 

[AvroArrow]

I think it's time to run with Reimer and let him get hot. Given his prior returns from injury, he usually takes a couple games to get in the groove, but he always got there.

 

[Kin]

I don't know if I'd be quick to dismiss the fact that two of the team's best overall efforts came with Bernier in net even if the LA game did result in a loss and Chicago ended with him not having a great sv%. I think he's better with the puck, a more stable influence on the backend and just about equal in terms of stopping the puck. I mean, last night both of Kane's goals were pretty tough to fault him on and the last one, the one that dipped his sv% below .900 occurred with a 4 goal lead in the third period.

 

[Bullfrog]

Reimer seems to either be up around .920-930 in a game or really bad.  But he's been the better goalie of late.

Yeah, though, I think part of that is that he's not used to the irregular playing time he's been getting. I feel like, if he was getting consistent starts, he'd be putting up the .920+ nights a lot more than the poor nights. He's also been the victim of the team's two worst efforts - Columbus and St Louis.

That one game dropped his save percentage by .01. He was around .940 at the time and dropped to around .930.

 

[Bullfrog]

I wouldn't be that quick to put too much stock into it either. I'm certain the players have confidence in front of each goalie. Bernier playing well didn't have much impact on how the players were so successful off the rush.

 

[Kin]

Bernier playing well didn't have much impact on how the players were so successful off the rush.

No, but a goalie who is good at playing the puck can really help with a transition game.

 

[bustaheims]

I don't know if I'd be quick to dismiss the fact that two of the team's best overall efforts came with Bernier in net even if the LA game did result in a loss and Chicago ended with him not having a great sv%.

Considering it's only happened twice so far, I wouldn't put much stock in it, either. If there's a noticeable difference in the team's performance in front of each goalie going forward, then, sure, that's something to take into account, but, right now, those games look like anomalies more than anything else.

 

[Kin]

Considering it's only happened twice so far, I wouldn't put much stock in it, either.

Except it hasn't only happened twice. By my count the Leafs have played 9 games where they either outshot their opponents or were within 3 of their opponents shot total and the count in terms of starts there is 7-2 for Bernier.

 

[bustaheims]

Except it hasn't only happened twice. By my count the Leafs have played 9 games where they either outshot their opponents or were within 3 of their opponents shot total and the count in terms of starts there is 7-2 for Bernier.

Well, sure, if your'e going to use shot totals as the only measure of the quality of their play, but we both know, there's a lot more to it than that.

 

[Highlander]

Bernier is a better puck handler no doubt but seems to have a very weak 5 hole and players are starting to exploit that. Riemer is certainly more of a loose cannon, in some ways a lot more fun to watch with his acrobatic style. However it seems to lead to bigger meltdowns when the team is playing Frazer

 

[Kin]

Well, sure, if your'e going to use shot totals as the only measure of the quality of their play, but we both know, there's a lot more to it than that.

Well, if by "their" you mean the team that's true but my point really was just about how I think Bernier's style fits better with the style of play that I think people are arguing would produce the most immediate results.

 

[bustaheims]

Well, if by "their" you mean the team that's true but my point really was just about how I think Bernier's style fits better with the style of play that I think people are arguing would produce the most immediate results.

I don't believe that that's true, nor do I believe that a handful of games where the lower shot discrepancy can't be explained away with things like score effect, etc., provides enough evidence to support that claim.

 

[Kin]

I don't believe that that's true, nor do I believe that a handful of games where the lower shot discrepancy can't be explained away with things like score effect, etc., provides enough evidence to support that claim.

I don't believe it as a hard and fast rule either, I just think it bears consideration and wouldn't categorize Bernier's performance vs. Chicago or LA as bad because of a dry reading of SV% either.

 

[freer]

I really dont get how Carlye picks who are the starting goalies, The game against STL, Reimer was not bad, the team did not show up at all. The game against CHI Bernier was not that good. Reimer has a GA VS Pits at .930, and Bernier is at .890. Any thoughts?

 

[2badknees]

To me, Bernier has looked better positionally, and much better rebound control than Reimer= calming influence on the defence. He was brought in to be the #1, and should be given the chance.

This back and forth isn't doing either goalie any favours.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

To me the biggest concern with Bernier is when he is facing two on ones, he always cheats a little looking for the pass. This leaves holes and has resulted in the shooter having a really good chance of finding a hole.

I've been watching for it over the past ten games or so and it's happened more than a few times.

 

[Beowulf]

To me the biggest concern with Bernier is when he is facing two on ones, he always cheats a little looking for the pass. This leaves holes and has resulted in the shooter having a really good chance of finding a hole.

I've been watching for it over the past ten games or so and it's happened more than a few times.

I'm sure you're right but of course the simple fact that 2 on 1s are happening that regularly speaks to a much bigger problem.

 

[bustaheims]

To me, Bernier has looked better positionally, and much better rebound control than Reimer= calming influence on the defence. He was brought in to be the #1, and should be given the chance.

This back and forth isn't doing either goalie any favours.

I think the rebound control issue has been vastly overstated. Reimer's rebound control is significantly improved this season, to the point where the difference between him and Bernier in that area is fairly insignificant.

 

[Kin]

To me the biggest concern with Bernier is when he is facing two on ones, he always cheats a little looking for the pass. This leaves holes and has resulted in the shooter having a really good chance of finding a hole.

I feel, though, like that's been offset a bit by the fact that he's also made some pretty great saves on 2 on 1's over that stretch because the Leafs' defenders haven't been the greatest at stopping that pass. I know the book says that the goalie should play the shot and let the defense worry about the pass but I don't think that's going to be as effective with this group on the blue line.

It's also worth mentioning, I think, that last week the goals that Bernier gave up on 2 on 1's were to pretty terrific goalscorers.

 

[Kin]

Speaking to my earlier point, it seems like the Leafs are allowing 38.8 shots per 60 minutes with Reimer in net and 34.1 with Bernier.