Howard's Not Just The 2nd Star Of The Week, He's An Elite Netminder
As reported by NHL.com today, Jimmy Howard is this week's Second Star:Howard is now tied for first with three shutouts after picking up two in his past four starts and surrendering just four goals total over that span. Howard helped the Red Wings turn things around by blanking the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers, and giving up just two goals in wins against the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars. Howard has a .960 save percentage during his current run.
Certainly congrats to Jimmy, he's earned it. But it is about time that we as a fanbase and as a hockey nation recognize the fact that Howard is not only a good goalie, he's an elite one. Right now, he's one of the top 5 goaltenders in the NHL, bar none. There, I said it. Click the jump for more craziness.
He's showed signs of it the previous two years, but the dominance is in effect now. Jimmy's got the second best GAA in the league right now of any starting goalie, only behind the vodka and speed loving Russian in Edmonton, who he met up head to head with Friday and pitched a shutout. Plus, Khabby will regain the need for the drink in a couple weeks and that leaves Jimmy in front. Howie's got an amazing .934 save percentage to go with his league leading 3 shutouts
He's extremely quick, technically strong (usually), and lately, been as solid as they come. His only weakness is bad angle shots, he still lets those in occasionally, but even that is becoming more and more rare. I honestly can only think of two or three goaltenders I'd rather have than Howard.
This is not one of them.
In my mind, Howard's the Vezina leader this season, as nobody really believes that Khabby will keep this up. Yet, he wasn't even placed on the All-Star ballot, despite the fact that Mr. 89.6 save percentage Roberto Luongo somehow made it. Hell, now Blues backup Jaro Halek made it with a 88.2 save percentage.
I don't really care about the All-Star game, but we need to get the word out there. Howard's a star. He's elite and deserves to be recognized for it.
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I only want him to go to the ASG so he can turn them down at the last minute. Just for the Red Wings fans...
Yay for Howard playing above his pay grade.
24 goalies in the NHL getting more cash than he does.
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I love the picture of Luongo with the caption "This is not one of them."
I thought you were crazy including a picture of him after that sentence but you redeemed yourself with the caption!
I'll be the first to say, I completely agree and I said so numerous times last season too. He's a long timer for sure I would say. He has elite pro fly style, but better than fleury that hack. A lightning glove,and he steps up when he has to and never looks rattled despite massive pressure. I must be as hard being a detroit goalie media-wise as a toronto or montreal one.
@Reddy Possibly harder with the 20 year streak of playoffs and constant expectation to see the conference finals.
He's had a really good start to the season, but its probably too soon to talk about Vezina and who will or won't keep their numbers up. Howard has played less than 150 games in his career, so I'm fine with him not having the "elite" label - and frankly could care less if he ever gets it. As Lou how that label's working out.
@andre.boillot you mean "couldn't care less", "could care less" means you do actually care a bit, think about it. Sorry, me be grammatically anal :P
@andre.boillot True, but I figured there was a limit to what I could point out without being a complete douche rather than just a bit of one.
