As much as you all can argue about how we need to score goals and how we need to play better defense and what not.

I KNOW that goaltending is the MAIN issue.

Why is Alfredsson at the moment on a 9 game goal-less streak? Because he is the one that usually makes the play from our own zone to their zone and when he finally gets set he usually passes it off cause he is covered.

Everyone is extremely cautious defensively because they know if a hard shot gets on net 7 out of 10 times it's in the back of the net.

For the love of god, Elliot let in 3 goals on 9 shots last night. The third one was horrific and the second one he should have had. Heck, a real goalie should have stopped the first one too because if he was in position and stuck out his glove it would have been a save.

Now, to all those people that believe goals are the biggest concern let me tell you this.

In our game against NYR that started the gigantic franchise record winning streak 11 game winning streak. We looked like we couldn't get a shot on net and when we did Lundqvist was robbing us from all angles.

The thing is though, Brodeur was JUST as good, he stopped Gaborik on a breakaway he did a goal saving poke-check he made a solid glove save on Avery from the faceoff circle. He was just awesome.

And because our offence saw how amazing he was and how they didn't have to always go back to back-check like crazy, we finally felt more loose and scored the game-winner with 1 minute left.

We have the talent to score and we will but first we need the talent to keep the scoring away.

You think our goalies get nervous? Imagine the defense always thinking "Don't make a mistake or you'll die!"

My hopes are not completely shattered as i believe Lehner is our man.

Lehner's team was supposed to not even be in the playoffs but he changed that mentality and has single-handedly won them games. Many might not share the same enthusiasm as i do with Lehner but time will tell.


Also look at how effective Foligno is, he makes so much chances and yesterday he was amazing against the Leafs.

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That was certainly not one of Elliott's best games.

I really believe Leclaire should have played that game, who knows if he would have been better but he NEEDS to build some confidence out there.

Brodeur had 1 thing that the other 2 goalies don't. NO PRESSURE. Who expected Brodeur, after a 5 game losing streak, to come in and rattle off 3 straight wins, a shutout, and a 0.966 save percentage? Not a soul.

Brodeur's style in those games was also very different - he is a positional goalie who likes to stay tall in the crease and let the puck hit him. It's not very flashy but it was effective.

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I think a positional goalie is exactly what we need right now.

LeClaire keeps dancing in the crease and i don't know what style of play Elliot is.

Also i know what you mean on Brodeur not having any pressure on him but he did have a record for being a very solid goalie in the AHL last year.

18 wins 13 losses 2.45 GAA .921 S%

We aren't going anywhere so why not give him a chance?

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I would have started Leclaire, too. He's done very good in the games vs Toronto this year, and had a good game vs Vancouver. I wanna see how he'll do once we get a real goaltending coach. Leclaire is one of the fastest goalies in the league. I think a good goaltending coach would help him a lot

This isn't really anything new. Whether you like it or not, the last time the Sens had a good goalie was..... never.

Elliott and Leclaire are average goaltenders just like Emery, Gerber, Lalime and all the other streaky goalies Sens fans have criticized and chased out of town. It's nothing new and until we find, draft, sign, trade or do anything to get a league-known #1 goaltender, this will be a reoccuring problem year in and year out.

Look at Leclaire's play in Columbus. They played a very strict defensive game there, the shots that Leclaire was facing were perimeter shots, and the odd breakaway that Leclaire seems to thrive on.

Ottawa does not play that game. They don't have the squad to play it. The Sens game (when it's working) is based on a speedy and aggressive forecheck, causing turnovers, and an effective cycle in the zone, particularly behind the net. The D group is much more focused on quick transition than shutting down opponents and plugging the slot.

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Fixed. But yes, whats the point of having 2 mediocre goaltenders instead of one good and bad? Like seriously, its been like this for the entire franchise history except 2005-06.

Well Hasek had an unlucky year then as well with the injury and all.

Seriously, look at the current top 8 teams in both conferences:

Pit - Fleury, NJ - Brodeur, Buf - Miller, Bos - Rask, SJ - Nabokov, Van - Luongo, Pho - Bryzgalov, LA - Quick, Col - Anderson, Det - Howard, Cgy - Kipper

plus you have Chicago and Washington who don't have a star in net but make up for that and out of those 16, 3 teams (Philly, Habs and Sens) don't have a solid starting goalies and they are (surprise!) teetering in between two extremes of winning it all and missing the playoffs.

Exactly. Good post.

Rask and Howard were not established stars, and rather took over the roll from established veterans. In my opinion, goaltending is the most difficult variable to plan for in the NHL (OK, maybe coaching and injuries too). I can tell you one thing - a good goalie is nothing without good defence, while a mediocre goalie can shine when backed by a strong defence.

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Bold 1: Neither were Bryzgalov or Anderson before this year. It's amazing how quick things change.

Bold 2: See Andrew Raycroft

Lol! Habs?

Brah i would die to have the tandem of Halak/Price.

Heck, i would take Halak over both LeClaire and Elliot. Price would be a franchise goalie immediately with the Sens.

Inconsistency has killed them and they are just 2 mediocre goalies this season with occasional good streaks. Who cares that they are better goalies, this season their situation is just like Ottawa's.

Yea but imo the only reason Ottawa has been winning games this season is due to some consistent work ethic.

The biggest reason Montreal is winning games this season is goaltending.

When's the last time a goalie for Ottawa stole a game?

Brodeur against NYR and Montreal?

When's the last time a goalie stole a game for the Habs? Their last one?

The goalies in Montreal have actually stolen more games for their teams than any other aspect of their game while ours is just down right brutal.

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But thats Price + Halak VS Leclaire + Elliot.

The goalie depth is just not at the same level. Habs is much higher.

So, when is Clouston going to swallow his pride and start Leclaire again?

I have been on the warpath over some of Clustons moves as of late, but I know hes not an idiot and Im sure he knows that Leclair isnt the answer. Both suck at this point.

Yeah both do suck, but only one is getting a chance.

Leclaire's last game means he deserves a shot. Especially when Elliott has lost it too.

Make a run for Halak next year.

Robin Lehner is the future. If nothing else, the puck will at least hit him 90% of the time due to his size.