2009-2010 Regular Season Grades: Goaltenders

by Anne

Here is my assessment of both teams' goaltenders.

 #30 Ryan Miller

Buffalo Sabres

68 starts, 41W, 2.22, .929%, 5SO

I don't need to say much more about this loser. Who needs him?!

Grade: Vezina+

#31 Erik Ersberg

Los Angeles Kings

7 starts, 4W, 2.54, .906%

Ersberg's stats aren't as bad as they might seem when looking at how much he's played. He's an ok back-up.

Grade: B-

 #32 Jonathan Quick

Los Angeles Kings

72 starts, 39W, 2.52, .907%, 4SO

If it weren't for Quickie, the Kings would've been much worse off. However, his stats are not earth-shattering. He's a solid goaltender but he's not elite. He stole a few games, but not many. He also played way too many and it started to show at the end of the season.

Grade: B+

 #40 Patrick Lalime

 Buffalo Sabres

13 starts, 4W, 2.81, .907%

Yeah. Ok. He played better when put in as relief of Miller the three times it might've happened. He's ok. He and the team meshed better towards the end of the season but, meh.

Grade: B-

Also:

#45 Jonathan Bernier

Los Angeles Kings

3 starts, 3 W, 1.30, .957%, 1 SO

Look at the Kings goalies above stats and then look at these. I think the future is clear.

Grade: A+

Sabres goaltending: A-

Kings: (w/o Bernier): B

Howdy from Nashville!

by Anne

Howdy, y'all!

I'm sitting in our hotel room while Moms takes a nap. We'll soon be heading out to explore some of what "Smashville" has to offer us this afternoon. The flight down was uneventful and the weather is gorgeous. It's a little cool but we Buffalo gals can handle it just fine. The hotel is really nice and very close to the Bridgesrone Arena and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

I don't have much nice to say about the Kings after last night's game other than to essentially BEG them to win because they never beat the Predators and Bernier needs the wins to earn him a roster spot.

Last night's Sabres game was far more pleasant and for once the Versus broadcast didn't really bother me. I have named the unlikely lone of Gerbe-Grier-Gaustad as the 3G Network. They responded to their new name by combining for a somewhat goofy but awesome Goose goal. A week or so ago I whined a bit about how it had been too long since Goose scored and he responded with his current three game scoring streak. Thank you, Paul.

It was nice but not altogether surprising to see the team's balanced scoring continue without Vanek and Connolly. Hopefully after seeing the zip in Ennis and Gerbe, those two will come back in fighting form.

Time to get ready to head out! Let's go Kings!!

School is kicking my behind

by Anne

Since I'm sick of being busy all the time, I decided to stay home and celebrate Pi day/ Daylight Savings Time Day by myself while my family goes to my sister's boyfriend's musical. He is not in it, he directs the pit orchestra.

Anyway. I haven't updated since Tuesday and since then the Sabres have had three games and the Kings have had two. I didn't watch any of them. :(

Here are some random uninteresting thoughts

• Tyler Myers had himself a four point night against Dallas (1+3). Woooo!
• Then against Minnesota only Thomas Vanek decided to score (twice). Is it that time of year already, Thomas? The time when you suddenly decide you like scoring goals and do it? Can every month be March/April in ThomasVanekLand? He scores a lot in those months, it seems.
• Then on Saturday against the Red Wings, only Yoyo scored (twice). At least this time the game went to overtime and we still managed a point.
• I appreciate the multi-goal games, boys, but you can allow the rest of your teammates to score.
• This Torres trade is looking Moore-esque from my standpoint. Awesome.
• Then the Canucks beat the Sens pretty handily to keep the Senators off of our heels for the time being.
• Jonathan Quick became a daddy the other day so Jonathan Bernier (No relation to Big Bear) was recalled and started over Erik Ersberg. Can someone explain to me why Ersberg is even in Los Angeles?
• Bernier won a 2-1 shootout game. Winning an NHL game on  a call-up is always exciting but what made it extra exciting is that it was a shootout game. Bernier is winless in five shootout games in the AHL.
• Today the Kings play the Predators. Of course they will lose. I love these previews for the game there on the 30th. If they don't win another game all season, can they win that one, please?!?

Surprisingly, the bulk of my major projects for school will be over after Wednesday, so I'll have a little more time to become reacquainted with my sanity. 

Wooo! Thanks for still reading this thing! I promise this is all just a phase and my regularly scheduled hilarity will resume soon!

Yay!