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Guest4178
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 Posted - 01/21/2011 : 13:27:17
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Most hockey fans know that Tim Thomas is having a Veniza-like season, where he currently leads the league in GA (1.83), shutouts (tied with Lundqvist with 7), and is only one win behind the leader with 22 wins so far this hockey season.
The most amazing statistic though is his save percentage: .945 He's way ahead of Pekka Rinne, who currently sits in second place with a save percentage of .930. And if you think .015 points is not a big deal, well, there are .015 points separating 2nd place and 20th place with goaltenders.
This is unheard of, and since we are now past the midway point of the season, it's safe to say Thomas has a good chance of beating Dominik Hasek's record of .937 which was achieved in the 1998-1999 season. (Thomas is tied for second place all-time with two other goalies – Roloson and Kiprusoff, who achieved save percentages of .933 in the 2003-2004 season – Thomas got his .933 save percentage in the 2008-2009 season.)
Save percentages do not altogether prove goaltending dominance, but it is a very significant statistic. It's worth noting that the Bruins play a style which provides their goaltenders with less high percentage scoring opportunities.
For example, last season Tuukka Rask with Boston had the best save percentage in the NHL (.931), and the year before that, Tim Thomas was tops in the NHL with a save percentage of .933.
I just hope that by bringing up Thomas' chance of breaking Hasek's record, that this doesn't jinx him in any way. Is this the same thing as mentioning the word "shutout" late in the third period when a team has not allowed any goals? :)
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Guest8149
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Posted - 01/21/2011 : 18:39:35
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Save percentages have gone up over the years. It could be that goalies are better, but there could also be other factors. (Goalie equipment, game styles, etc.)
This hockey season, there are currently 14 goalies with save percentages at .920 or over. (And a half dozen within a few points of .920.) Looking at the past 12 seasons, there hasn't been anywhere that number. The number of goalies in this category ranges from 0 (1999-2000) to 10 (2007-2008 and 2009-2010), and of course, the seasons with higher rates of save percentages are the most recent hockey seasons.
One could say that goalies are better, but could not the same thing be said about players who generate offensive? So what's the reason for what it appears to be a trend where goaltenders are stopping more shots than ever before? |
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Guest8149
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Posted - 04/09/2011 : 14:19:48
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With one game to go in the regular season, it looks like Thomas has established a new record for save percentage: .938
He slid a bit from earlier in the season, but finishing with .938 is quite the feat.
When I state that it looks like he has the record - he would put his record in jeopardy if he plays in Boston's final game of the season. That's not likely to happen, and mores to give him a rest before the playoffs than to preserve this record. |
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Guest5289
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Posted - 04/09/2011 : 14:21:32
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| it's cause he plays the leafs 6 times a year. they shoot alot but they don't score alot |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
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Posted - 04/09/2011 : 15:16:27
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quote:
it's cause he plays the leafs 6 times a year. they shoot alot but they don't score alot
They scored a lot against the Bruins this year - 16 in 6 games, and won the season series 4-2. Go figure. |
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Guest2779
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Posted - 04/10/2011 : 08:50:06
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| Looks like the Bruins will start Tuuka Rask today, so Thomas will get the record. Way to go Tim on an impresive season. Now go beat those Canadiens. Boston in five. |
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Guest0409
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Posted - 04/10/2011 : 10:01:10
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Better team defence = higher save percentage. When the majority of shots in a game are from the perimeter, any goalie will have a higher SP. Most teams are better defencively today than they were 10 years ago.
I believe that is the difference between SP then and now.
Bruins in 4! |
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Tim Thomas – Amazing Save Percentage 
