After another shootout loss suffered by the Chicago Blackhawks, it’s blatantly obvious that goaltender Robin Lehner is bad at shootouts. Including Chicago’s 2-1 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars Saturday, Lehner has accumulated 22 shootout losses, allowing 45 goals on 94 shots for a .521 save percentage. Considering the average goalie’s numbers are closer to .700 or .800 on the shootout, Lehner is way below average.
However, The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus (subscription required) writes that swapping out Lehner for Corey Crawford at shootouts isn’t likely to happen either, despite the fact that Crawford boasts a career save percentage of .713 on shootouts. The problem is that on days that Lehner plays, Crawford would be ice cold when the shootout comes around. Not necessarily a much better option.
“That’d be tough,” head coach Jeremey Colliton said. “Listen, Robin played really well. I don’t think it’s fair to talk about the shootout, as well as he played for the rest of the 65 minutes. He was really good.”
- After colliding into the boards headfirst Saturday, Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said that forward Lawson Crouse is sore today and will not be playing Sunday against Edmonton, according to AZSports’ Richard Morin. Crouse got tangled up with Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez and slid into the boards at high speed during the third period of Saturdays’ game. Tocchet said that the injury isn’t necessarily a head injury, but he did enter concussion protocol and will continue to be monitored. Michael Grabner will take his place in the lineup.
- Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal writes that one of the top reasons for the Edmonton Oilers success has come with the emergence of Ethan Bear, who has quickly established himself as a first-pairing defenseman who can consistently transition the puck from the defensive zone to a forward on their way out of the defensive zone. The scribe writes that Bear has already replaced Adam Larsson on that top line and four goals and 21:04 ATOI as a rookie has made quite the difference to the team as the 22-year-old came into camp in the best shape of his career and has taken advantage of every opportunity so far.