Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Who's Number One in Ottawa?
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The Ottawa Senators didn't anticipate Ray Emery's three-year, $9.5 million contract to yield dividends in the form of 11 wins against one loss by Martin Gerber. Emery's expensive status as the Sens' number one goaltender is weakening, at least currently. Eight years Gerber's junior, Emery is tremendously athletic, possesses invaluable playoff experience, and has displayed his occasional enjoyment of dropping the gloves with anyone. He should be a legitimate net minder for the foreseeable future. But Gerber's stellar start and Emery's shaky play after offseason wrist surgery have forced Ottawa head coach John Paddock to address the inevitable: who's number one?
For now, it's Gerber's position to lose. His 11 wins are the most thus far; his .943 save percentage is fourth best in the league and his 1.73 goals against average (GAA) sixth best. Since December of last year, Gerber's flexing a 21-1-2 record, 1.92 GAA, and .934 save percentage. The Sens have left nothing to speculation, forcibly exerting their indomitable style on even well prepared opponents — and this without top-line center Jason Spezza for the last six games. And Gerber has been absolutely crucial to their success. His hot streak was best displayed during a November 10th win over divisional foe Montreal. Led by captain Saku Koivu, the Canadians pounded the Sens until Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson buried two goals late in the game to win it 3-1. Gerber kept them in it. Emery watched from the bench.
This presents a historical conundrum that has preoccupied NHL coaches for years: when your starter goes down, and the backup grossly exceeds expectations, who plays when both are again healthy? Some coaches continue relying on the backup-turned-starter while others immediately reinsert the number one. Much like a quarterback in football, a goalie is a hockey team's pivot — playing the entire 60 minutes, it's the lone position around which most of the game revolves. And much like hockey, football coaches are faced with similar predicaments when their first-string QB returns from injury to a team that succeeded in his absence. (University of Michigan chose to start Chad Henne after he recovered from an injury earlier this college football season.)
But the Senators' position is mitigated by Emery's poor performance. The Sens were riding an eight-game winning streak — a team record — until the Washington Capitals squashed them in Ottawa on November 9th. Emery made his third start, giving up four goals on 35 shots. (Emery is 3-3-0 in six career games against the Caps.) He hadn't played since Thursday of the previous week when, although earning a victory, he allowed four goals to the on-fire Atlanta Thrashers. In his three meager appearances this year, Emery is 2-1-0 and his numbers revealing: a 3.00 GAA and .895 save percentage.
Emery's injury and performance aren't the only factors affecting his limited number of starts. Recent reports reveal Paddock's dissatisfaction with Emery's lackluster practice and workout habits. Paddock is clearly aggravated by his entire team's sub par workout routines. "[Emery's] not the only player practicing like you might not like, let's put it that way, so he's no different than other guys," the coach remarked. Emery may just be one of the guys, but this trend is alarming considering the money Ottawa showered over him to be the number one. Gerber's reputation as one of the hardest working players on the roster certainly works to Emery's disadvantage.
Ray Emery was tailored to be the Sens' top goaltender, from the contract extension to the hiring of his offseason goalie coach (Eli Wilson). And he played like it last year. But now Martin Gerber is playing like it's his team. (However, it's worth noting that most teams wouldn't mind having to choose between these two top-tier goalies. That's something Ottawa GM Bryan Murray is cognizant of, "you have a chance to win every night with either one of them.") Ironically, it was Emery who excelled in the face of Gerber's slump this time last season.
Good things come to those who wait, the adage goes. Gerber has waited in silence for a chance to reclaim the number one spot. It appears that Paddock and company are wisely sticking with Gerber — careful not to tweak the chemistry responsible for the Senators' nearly flawless start. If it continues, Emery might want to make himself comfortable at the end of the bench, and start counting the 9.5 million reasons he has to work his way back to the front of the Ottawa net.