NHL W. Conference Finals: Red Wings defeat Blackhawks 4-1

[Cynosure]

It would be JUST LIKE Chicago sports for this series to go to 7 games and they lose a heart breaker.

[jersey cubs fan]

I agree 100% about the forecheck. But it's not their style and I don't think they are going to change now.

 

As for the goaltending, I want nothing more than for Huet to pick it up and lead this team to an amazing comeback. I really do. I just have no confidence he's got it in him.

 

At this point I find myself dreading next year with Huet more than what might happen tonight. We locked this guy up for too long, too much money. He might kill what would otherwise be prime years for our star players.

 

I don't look too kindly upon burning up possible Stanley Cup years on a bad goalie who should never have been signed.

 

The value of goaltending is vastly overrated. People claim goalies are the difference in the playoffs but the fact is the best teams, without the best goaltenders, have had the most success. Huet isn't bad. His contract is disappointing, but he's not going to piss away whatever chance this team might have in the future. Ideally one of the young guys will come up and challenge Huet next year, and perhaps by the following season be in position to take over. And then going forward they can move away from spending so much money on established goaltenders.

[Soul]

I agree 100% about the forecheck. But it's not their style and I don't think they are going to change now.

 

As for the goaltending, I want nothing more than for Huet to pick it up and lead this team to an amazing comeback. I really do. I just have no confidence he's got it in him.

 

At this point I find myself dreading next year with Huet more than what might happen tonight. We locked this guy up for too long, too much money. He might kill what would otherwise be prime years for our star players.

 

I don't look too kindly upon burning up possible Stanley Cup years on a bad goalie who should never have been signed.

 

The value of goaltending is vastly overrated. People claim goalies are the difference in the playoffs but the fact is the best teams, without the best goaltenders, have had the most success. Huet isn't bad. His contract is disappointing, but he's not going to piss away whatever chance this team might have in the future. Ideally one of the young guys will come up and challenge Huet next year, and perhaps by the following season be in position to take over. And then going forward they can move away from spending so much money on established goaltenders.

 

I don't see how you can say he isn't bad. Look at him.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Huet had a 2.53 GAA and a .909 save percentage this season.

 

He's not as good as Khabibulin and he's a bad fit, but he's not a bad goalie.

 

He better have a good game tonight, though, or all heck breaks loose.

[kujay]

The value of goaltending is vastly overrated. People claim goalies are the difference in the playoffs but the fact is the best teams, without the best goaltenders, have had the most success. Huet isn't bad. His contract is disappointing, but he's not going to piss away whatever chance this team might have in the future. Ideally one of the young guys will come up and challenge Huet next year, and perhaps by the following season be in position to take over. And then going forward they can move away from spending so much money on established goaltenders.

 

I don't think it's overrated at all. I agree with Soul 100%.

[kujay]

He better have a good game tonight, though, or all heck breaks loose.

 

This is true. I'm going to be looking for a place to watch the game in Louisville, near the airport. Anyone know the town?

[jersey cubs fan]

The value of goaltending is vastly overrated. People claim goalies are the difference in the playoffs but the fact is the best teams, without the best goaltenders, have had the most success. Huet isn't bad. His contract is disappointing, but he's not going to piss away whatever chance this team might have in the future. Ideally one of the young guys will come up and challenge Huet next year, and perhaps by the following season be in position to take over. And then going forward they can move away from spending so much money on established goaltenders.

 

I don't think it's overrated at all. I agree with Soul 100%.

 

We hear about how it's the determining factor, yet for the 2nd straight year you are going to see Osgood and Fleury in the finals. The super star goalies did nothing impressive. No goalie led his team to the conference finals, let alone finals. The depth of the team is what matters. Having multiple quality defense and multiple lines that can score is what matters. Having a great goalie is nice, but it's not a must. You need a competent goalie and a deep team.

[Soul]

The value of goaltending is vastly overrated. People claim goalies are the difference in the playoffs but the fact is the best teams, without the best goaltenders, have had the most success. Huet isn't bad. His contract is disappointing, but he's not going to piss away whatever chance this team might have in the future. Ideally one of the young guys will come up and challenge Huet next year, and perhaps by the following season be in position to take over. And then going forward they can move away from spending so much money on established goaltenders.

 

I don't think it's overrated at all. I agree with Soul 100%.

 

We hear about how it's the determining factor, yet for the 2nd straight year you are going to see Osgood and Fleury in the finals. The super star goalies did nothing impressive. No goalie led his team to the conference finals, let alone finals. The depth of the team is what matters. Having multiple quality defense and multiple lines that can score is what matters. Having a great goalie is nice, but it's not a must. You need a competent goalie and a deep team.

 

Yeah but I can't get to a place where I see Huet as anywhere near an Osgood.

[jersey cubs fan]

The value of goaltending is vastly overrated. People claim goalies are the difference in the playoffs but the fact is the best teams, without the best goaltenders, have had the most success. Huet isn't bad. His contract is disappointing, but he's not going to piss away whatever chance this team might have in the future. Ideally one of the young guys will come up and challenge Huet next year, and perhaps by the following season be in position to take over. And then going forward they can move away from spending so much money on established goaltenders.

 

I don't think it's overrated at all. I agree with Soul 100%.

 

We hear about how it's the determining factor, yet for the 2nd straight year you are going to see Osgood and Fleury in the finals. The super star goalies did nothing impressive. No goalie led his team to the conference finals, let alone finals. The depth of the team is what matters. Having multiple quality defense and multiple lines that can score is what matters. Having a great goalie is nice, but it's not a must. You need a competent goalie and a deep team.

 

Yeah but I can't get to a place where I see Huet as anywhere near an Osgood.

 

Why? Huet is not a bad goalie, there is just nothing to support that. He's not a franchise guy, he's not great by any means, and his contract is disappointing. But I don't see how he is any worse than a guy like Osgood. Switch the two and I bet Detroit is still up 3-1.

[bcl412]

I just don't want tonight to be the last game. This season has been too much fun.

[jersey cubs fan]

I just don't want tonight to be the last game. This season has been too much fun.

 

Yeah, I'd be ecstatic to see them at least make the series interesting, plus it extends the time before I start paying more attention to the Cubs.

[Soul]

The value of goaltending is vastly overrated. People claim goalies are the difference in the playoffs but the fact is the best teams, without the best goaltenders, have had the most success. Huet isn't bad. His contract is disappointing, but he's not going to piss away whatever chance this team might have in the future. Ideally one of the young guys will come up and challenge Huet next year, and perhaps by the following season be in position to take over. And then going forward they can move away from spending so much money on established goaltenders.

 

I don't think it's overrated at all. I agree with Soul 100%.

 

We hear about how it's the determining factor, yet for the 2nd straight year you are going to see Osgood and Fleury in the finals. The super star goalies did nothing impressive. No goalie led his team to the conference finals, let alone finals. The depth of the team is what matters. Having multiple quality defense and multiple lines that can score is what matters. Having a great goalie is nice, but it's not a must. You need a competent goalie and a deep team.

 

Yeah but I can't get to a place where I see Huet as anywhere near an Osgood.

 

Why? Huet is not a bad goalie, there is just nothing to support that. He's not a franchise guy, he's not great by any means, and his contract is disappointing. But I don't see how he is any worse than a guy like Osgood. Switch the two and I bet Detroit is still up 3-1.

 

You can't seriously believe that.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

You can't seriously believe that.

 

I completely agree with him.

 

Well, presuming we are getting Huet's normal performance and not his awful one in Game 4.

[NewUserName]

You can't seriously believe that.

 

I completely agree with him.

 

Well, presuming we are getting Huet's normal performance and not his awful one in Game 4.

 

I also agree..I think Huet is every bit as good as Osgood.

[Drew Doughty]

huet is a lot better than osgood. osgood is terribad hiding behind one of the best teams since the lockout. he also tends to play well in the playoffs. not surprisingly this is a time when the games tend to be tighter and lower scoring. seriously he had an .887 sv% this year, he's awful.

[jersey cubs fan]

Why? Huet is not a bad goalie, there is just nothing to support that. He's not a franchise guy, he's not great by any means, and his contract is disappointing. But I don't see how he is any worse than a guy like Osgood. Switch the two and I bet Detroit is still up 3-1.

 

You can't seriously believe that.

 

I seriously can't see how you wouldn't. The Blackhawks have been outplayed, the entire team. It's not like Osgood has saved Detroit.

[Cynosure]

If Huet starts 65+ games next year, we're in a world of trouble.

 

I had high hopes for him this year and he disappointed me big time.

[jersey cubs fan]

If Huet starts 65+ games next year, we're in a world of trouble.

 

I had high hopes for him this year and he disappointed me big time.

 

I honestly don't see how anybody could have had all that high of hopes for him, or how he failed to live up to reasonable expectations.

[Soul]

Why? Huet is not a bad goalie, there is just nothing to support that. He's not a franchise guy, he's not great by any means, and his contract is disappointing. But I don't see how he is any worse than a guy like Osgood. Switch the two and I bet Detroit is still up 3-1.

 

You can't seriously believe that.

 

I seriously can't see how you wouldn't. The Blackhawks have been outplayed, the entire team. It's not like Osgood has saved Detroit.

 

I'm not arguing that, but look at the saves Osgood has made vs. the softies Huet lets through.

[Drew Doughty]

If Huet starts 65+ games next year, we're in a world of trouble.

 

I had high hopes for him this year and he disappointed me big time.

 

huet will be fine over a full season. he'll just be a lot streakier than khabibulin. he's about the worst candidate for a backup goalie that I can think of and he's only an average starter. he's in an odd position as far as his role in the NHL goes.

[Soul]

If Huet starts 65+ games next year, we're in a world of trouble.

 

I had high hopes for him this year and he disappointed me big time.

 

huet will be fine over a full season. he'll just be a lot streakier than khabibulin. he's about the worst candidate for a backup goalie that I can think of and he's only an average starter. he's in an odd position as far as his role in the NHL goes.

 

That's just a fancy way of saying he doesn't belong in the league. Anyone who can't play is in an odd position when he MUST start because of money.

[Drew Doughty]

If Huet starts 65+ games next year, we're in a world of trouble.

 

I had high hopes for him this year and he disappointed me big time.

 

huet will be fine over a full season. he'll just be a lot streakier than khabibulin. he's about the worst candidate for a backup goalie that I can think of and he's only an average starter. he's in an odd position as far as his role in the NHL goes.

 

That's just a fancy way of saying he doesn't belong in the league. Anyone who can't play is in an odd position when he MUST start because of money.

 

no, not really. he should be a starter but he's going to drive a lot of people nuts because he has like...5-10 game stretches when he's just awful. he also has month+ stretches when he can be a top 10, maybe even top 5 goalie in the league. every goalie has inconsistencies, he just takes it to another level. it makes him an AWFUL backup though.

[Drew Doughty]

also a lot of the huet bickering reminds me of bruins fans pissing and moaning about tim thomas over the last 3 years prior to this one. they're both wildly inconsistent goalies. not surprisingly, over the last two years -- a period during which Boston had a capable backup -- Thomas has been fine. give Huet a decent backup next year to spell him when he goes into a slump and he will give you quality performance as a starter, I guarantee it.

[NewUserName]

huet is a lot better than osgood. osgood is terribad hiding behind one of the best teams since the lockout. he also tends to play well in the playoffs. not surprisingly this is a time when the games tend to be tighter and lower scoring. seriously he had an .887 sv% this year, he's awful.

 

To be fair this was Osgoods worst season of his career. He came off a season that he played way above his norm. I believe he is probably somewhere in the middle.

 

I mentioned somewhere earlier that the Hawks should let khabibulin and havlat go. Try to sign Neidermayer.

[kujay]

I don't want a starting goaltender who gets rest not because he's tired, but because he sucks for long stretches.

 

Huet is not a good goaltender for obvious reasons. The announcers discussed them quite a bit in the last game, and they've been painfully clear all season to those of us who watched most of the games. He flops way too early. He's slow post to post. He doesn't recover well in goal-mouth scrambles. Did we see any improvement over the course of the season in any of these areas? I didn't.