The Calvin Problem
- Thread starter Dr. Tran
- Start date
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Helvetica
Top Forward
I think the team in front of the goalies are definitely giving up more chances and that's part of the equation. But there have simply been some bad goals let in too, and the goals saved above expected definitely points to that. Simply put, the team, as a whole, hasn't been sharp. So that's really my point here. I think it's obvious Cal is performing well below expectations, but he's not getting the help in the King's zone that might assist him in finding his confidence. But Quick isnt exactly doing much better (tonight's game not withstanding).
The whole team needs improvement, and as the last guy back, Cal's mistakes are magnified even more. But again, as the team improves, i think there's a snowball effect that will help him find his game.
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waynet
Lurker
Perhaps rename this thread to "The Goaltending Problem". Neither goaltender has been effective. Cal had a horrible 1st period against the Penguins, Quick had 2 softees today. Fox, who rarely criticizes goaltending, remarked that should never go in after the 4th goal wraparound. Defense hasn't been especially good, but seems like nearly every reasonable chance against the Kings ends up in the net.
DryKing
Power Forward
Can't agree with you on this part - there were at least 2 prime chances this game that Quick had no business stopping but did. The flip side is soft goals which evens it out. That said, Quick kept them in the game tonight and clearly was not the problem or reason for the loss...
Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
Clearly just get a really big jersey and put it over both of them. Size matters in that position I hear and everyone will fear the two headed goalie.
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Illegal_Stick
Lurker
Every decent chance wasn’t in. He made some great saves but they really needed that fourth goal save. Team battled back and got in it. It was a good chance but it was stoppable, no matter how many saves he had. It was a dangerous chance played poorly by the D - but we need someone who can stop those, especially late in the game. Paddle down has that.
Maybe better to lose that one - show Blake there’s trouble instead of them scraping by.
I'm no expert on goaltending body language but I remember during the Kings/Wild game on Oct 15, I had the Minny feed. And their color dude said at least 5 times throughout the game that Cal just looks extremely uncomfortable in his positioning.
I mean I don't think they'll hate on a goalie just because, so maybe there's some truth to it? But you'd think the Kings management would know by now and work on fixing it.
I mean I don't think they'll hate on a goalie just because, so maybe there's some truth to it? But you'd think the Kings management would know by now and work on fixing it.
Helvetica
Top Forward
yeah i watched their feed too, and it was interesting that he made several comments about it. Said his movements were not fluid and compact. Was leaning a lot. Seems like the game is moving too fast for Cal right now. Again, it feels like the team as a whole just isn't quite up to game speed right now. They're thinking rather than reacting and playing on instinct.
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Illegal_Stick
Lurker
Thought they were very fair in their analysis for most of the game and yes, this was a point they came back to more than once. So.... any chance Ranford was watching the Minnesota feed?
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VCRW
Lurker
The puck went in off Clarke’s skate and then the inside of Quick’s right pad on the wraparound game winner. Johansson actually missed the left side of the net. The goal was a fluke. If Quick had been able to get his stick down, the outcome might have been different, but the left pad was there. Clarke should have followed Johansson behind the net and nailed him to the boards. Elder was already in front of the net. Rookies make mistakes.
I have played in goal, my son has played in goal and I can tell you he is uncomfortable, playing outside his natural position and is feeling the lack of confidence of his defense around him. This is not a good situation for a goaltender. The high of the shootout win where he was great turning into the disastrous first in the following game sucks every ounce of wind from your confidence. IMO he needs an opportunity to get that confidence back and playing with the Reign is not a demotion but an opportunity to get that confidence back. With ALL that said do I think he is the future in goal for the Kings? No he has had ample opportunity to prove that and has not brought this game to that level
kingnut
Top Forward
One of the reasons I did not feel Cal was the guy to take over the reins is u have to have that swagger as a tender. He does not have it nor did he have it. Not saying the defense is great, but as a goalie, you need to have confidence , period!
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triplcrown
Lurker
Just get Copley in there.
'Nuff said.
'Nuff said.
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Illegal_Stick
Lurker
Just read that (the off Clarke's skate) on the Athletic and went back and watched it. Definitely what happened, not much Quick could have done. Still think he can play better, but I guess that goal is more of a system break down to allow the scoring chance and then basically a fluke.
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VCRW
Lurker
I saw it go in off Quick’s right pad the first time I watched the replay. I had to slow it way down to see how it got there. Clarke will eventually learn how to read that scenario. I am sure he has replayed that video many times by now.
Before getting too far, yes I totally agree Clarke should not have cut across the front of the net. That said, when I first saw the play I was wondering if Clarke was supposed to seal the back post and then take Oshie while Edler rotated. Clarkes never making an effort to communicate though so yeah he needed to be much more aggressive pinching him behind the net when MoJo is waiting for the puck to come to him off the boards. I really wonder if this was one of those moments where Clarkes skating got him in trouble. The way he couldn't make that acceleration to go behind the net, then his very awkward lunge with his back leg trailing as he tried to meet MoJo at the corner.
Then I watched it all again and realized Clarke really got everything going by half feinting to the drop pass which let MoJo loose behind him even though he had forward help coming back on the outside shooter (Vilardi). He didn't really buy anyone any time and played into the 2-1 scenario the caps were setting up. Of the two you'd think the wrap attempt would be less dangerous than a shot from the top of the circles but Orlov drawing him also causes a lot of confusion for Gabe as Clarke then goes back to MoJo.
You're right that Clarke's probably watched this a ton of times by now, but mostly he looks like he got himself in trouble by thinking he was in an outnumbered situation, when he wasn't. Gotta trust your teammates at this level.
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hokiecat
Lurker
I was listening to Nick and Daryl on the radio feed and they said Clarke misplayed the play from the get go by not taking the man better and eliminating the wraparound chance. After rewatching it, I'd agree that Clarke takes most of the blame on the goal rather than Quick. He'll learn but that was a costly mistake with potentially 1 or 2 points lost.
To be fair though, it has been a total team effort blowing 2-goal leads all the way back to this preseason.
To be fair though, it has been a total team effort blowing 2-goal leads all the way back to this preseason.
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Statue4Deano
Lurker
Cal is a good goalie. He's just lost his game but there's no reason why he can't get it back. Now the question is can he get it back while still playing for this team? He wouldn't be the first goalie to need a change of scenery to rediscover his game. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing Blake go find another struggling goalie with around a 5M cap hit and see if there's any appetite for a swap.
