Goaltending Showdown - Reimer vs. Bernier

[Leafnut]

Reimer should get the start Saturday.

He was phenomenal on Tuesday and was lights out in the preseason. It's his job to lose.

 

[TML fan]

Reimer should get the start Saturday.

He was phenomenal on Tuesday and was lights out in the preseason. It's his job to lose.

That's the problem isn't it? Both goalies were great in their opening games. I think Reimer has earned the home opener though.

 

[riff raff]

Reimer should get the start Saturday.

He was phenomenal on Tuesday and was lights out in the preseason. It's his job to lose.

That's the problem isn't it? Both goalies were great in their opening games. I think Reimer has earned the home opener though.

I'd say they've both earned the home opener. That's what makes this such a conundrum showdown.

 

[mr grieves]

Even if the Leafs struggle with the possession game/getting outshot, this could be a tandem that could alleviate those concerns.

It'll definitely keep them in more games. Clearly, the Leafs would've been a lot more lucky to won the Flyers game with Scrivens as their backup.

 

[Corn Flake]

Will it ever be a goaltending hoedown?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYp0AU2aaq8[/youtube]

Well there you have it then.

 

[AvroArrow]

I thought Reimer was only good in his game.  Bernier was phenomenal, even with a team in front of him playing worse than garbage for most of the game.

 

[Arn]

Bernier reminds me a bit of Belfour.

He's also clearly a bit mad given the fight. If your goalie isn't mentally unhinged to a small extent he's not going to make it. See Belfour, Roy, Potvin etc

 

[CarltonTheBear]

David Alter ‏@DavidAlter590 41m
Carlyle on starter for tomorrow, wouldn't say who it is but "made that decision long ago"

Sure sounds like he's picked Reimer given his terrific history vs. Ottawa. They likely decided before the season started that the first 6-8 games would be split evenly and then they would go from there.

 

[Strangelove]

David Alter ‏@DavidAlter590 41m
Carlyle on starter for tomorrow, wouldn't say who it is but "made that decision long ago"

Sure sounds like he's picked Reimer given his terrific history vs. Ottawa. They likely decided before the season started that the first 6-8 games would be split evenly and then they would go from there.

As often as this argument is used, I've never understood it.  What possible difference could it make whether Ottawa or some other team's players are firing the puck at the net?  His strong numbers are a statistical aberration.

At this point, the best goalie should start. While Reimer's been good for a year, I've never seen him as calm as Bernier looked Wednesday night. The Belfour comparisons are bang on.  I don't know how you don't go back to him after a performance like that.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

David Alter ‏@DavidAlter590 41m
Carlyle on starter for tomorrow, wouldn't say who it is but "made that decision long ago"

Sure sounds like he's picked Reimer given his terrific history vs. Ottawa. They likely decided before the season started that the first 6-8 games would be split evenly and then they would go from there.

As often as this argument is used, I've never understood it.  What possible difference could it make whether Ottawa or some other team's players are firing the puck at the net?  His strong numbers are a statistical aberration.

At this point, the best goalie should start. While Reimer's been good for a year, I've never seen him as calm as Bernier looked Wednesday night. The Belfour comparisons are bang on.  I don't know how you don't go back to him after a performance like that.

As much as it shouldn't make a difference who's shooting, I can tell you that it does. We goalies are a screwy bunch. It's all psychological but it does matter.

 

[ZBBM]

Bernier wins the showdown, and deserves the next start.  He certainly appears to be in better form than Reimer.  Still, on the basis of 3 games total I don't think it would be reasonable to say that the question is absolutely settled.

Having said all that, Bernier looks so solid in there.  But Reimer is a battler, so we'll see.

 

[Boston Leaf]

The same giveaways were happening when Bernier came in net but he knows how to control his rebounds and seems to just be more comfortable

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Bernier was almost definitely going to start against Colorado anyway given the rotation. But this game, combined with a strong performance against the Avs, could break up that rotation for a little while.

 

[Stronger Than All]

I hear the Belfour comparisons.  I was big on Reimer but when I found out Bernier was a goo puck handler I was reminded if Belfour coming in after Cujo.

 

[ZBBM]

Bernier was almost definitely going to start against Colorado anyway given the rotation. But this game, combined with a strong performance against the Avs, could break up that rotation for a little while.

As it should be, if he keeps going.  Reimer, though, has something like at 54-33 record overall, which is good to keep in mind after an outing like this.

Also, Boston, I think the D did tighten up after Bernier came in.  Reimer was bad, don't get me wrong.  But Rielly looked very exposed on the first 3 OTT goals and Franson had one of his worst defensive outings ever.  Even Gunnar looked bad.

Ranger, OTOH, looked comparatively solid, as did Phaneuf.

 

[Stickytape]

Reimer looked shaky and scrambly tonight, and I wonder how much of that had to do with home opener pressure.

At any rate, Bernier still looks so steady, but it's early yet in my opinion.  He'll certainly get the start Tuesday, so we'll get another look.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Reimer looked shaky and scrambly tonight, and I wonder how much of that had to do with home opener pressure.

At any rate, Bernier still looks so steady, but it's early yet in my opinion.  He'll certainly get the start Tuesday, so we'll get another look.

No, I don't think it had anything to do with "home opener pressure".  That's just the way Reimer is, as we've come to know him by now.  He may have several good games, a bad outing, and then bounce back and repeat the cycle.

We saw him do that in the playoff against the Bruins.

When Reimer falters, Bernier comes in.  Or rather, where Reimer falters.  Either, or. 

Speaking of Bernier, I like what he brings.  At times, he looks like a more acrobatic goaltender than Reimer, an almost 'in your face' with his style and quick glove.

They (Reimer & Bernier) both have their plusses and their flaws, but in the end, they both complement the team well.  So far, so good.

 

[Frank E]

I'm not hanging anything on Reimer...OK maybe that last pizza rebound.

 

[nutman]

I will put the defence at 80% to blame because of there bad play but Reimer needs to stop with the rebounds. If Bernier closes the door on col Reimer may have some time to work on his rebound control.

 

[Captain Canuck]

Obviously still way too early to call this either way, but Bernier now has the slight edge after last nights game. My gut feeling is that eventually Bernier will overtake Reimer as the #1 goalie, so it'll be interesting to watch this battle play out.