Goaltending an enigma in Lightning solid start

I can’t find certain stats on the Lightning that I can find for other teams. It would be awesome if we as peers in the cloud and members of Rawcharge maintained a stats database on the Lightning that tracked such things. It would have to be a community effort, and at first it would likely be largely incomplete, but over time as a work in progress could turn into something rather useful. I realize some of these are subjective, but as long as there’s some consistency it all washes out. If there’s interest and volunteers, I’ll start the effort by developing an Android client for recording stats to the database. I could even host a MySQL database server for it.

Stats I would like to see on the Lightning and its players:
Time spent in the defensive zone.
Time spent in the offensive zone.
Defensive zone forced takeaways.
Defensive zone giveaways.
Offensive zone forced takeaways.
Offensive zone giveaways.
Pucks carried offside.
Times caught offside.
Icings negated (caught/prevented).
Icings caused.
Penalty kill clears.
Penalties drawn.

Like everyone else I’m worried about the goaltending. However, despite better overall play from the defense, their d-zone play has been rather weak at times. Puck movement has improve 1000% from last year, but I’ve seen a lot of unforced giveaways and a lack of the ability or desire to physically remove an opponent from the puck. I thought Matt Smaby brought some of that monday and I believe he’ll get the nod again tomorrow. Hedman and Kubina could both benefit us with a little more physical play. It may be too much to ask the hybrid d-men like Jones, Lundin and Vernace to bring a little more sandpaper. Getting Ohlund back will be huge, if and when it happens as it bumpseveryone except Hedman and Kubina down a notch on the depth chart and in ice time. Having one puck mover and 1 physical defender on each pairing would be ideal, Chicago used that formula to great success last season. With the exception of the Panthers game our forward defense has been much better and by extension the penalty kill. If the goaltending continues to be questionable, there will be 4-5 goalies available at the deadline that could improve our chances without breaking the bank long term.

Caveat Emptor: I am not a Mike Smith fan. I find him too unpredictable and too streaky to be a bona fide #1.

Point 1. Dan Ellis had a rough start in Tampa. That aside, I think he’s a better goalie than that for which he’s being given credit. Ellis played pretty well, I thought, against Philly. In particular he was sharp on Richards’ breakaway and several plays near the crease. Before the emergence of Rinne, Ellis was good in Nashville—good enough for Nashville to hand him the starting job when Chris Mason faltered (after Vokoun went to the Panthers). In Ellis’ defense he hasn’t played in a game (before the two starts he’s had) in quite some time.

Point 2. Both Ellis and Smith are being coached by a new goalie coach, with different theories and teaching methods. It will take time to get used to the new relationships.

Ultimately, I think the play of the goalies will improve—but it’s a good thing we’re scoring as much as we are (except, of course, the game in Sunrise). Finally, I echo Don’s hope of a deadline pickup for a #1 netminder.

I think we should give him a chance and sit Smith for a game. I don’t think people realize how good this guy really is. I don’t care if its the AHL. 29-9-4 is a great record and he knows how to play in Boucher’s system.