March-Andre Fleury

by Hooks Orpik on Mar 16, 2010 7:00 AM EDT

Wanna know why Pittsburgh's been involved in deep playoff runs? Look no further than the play of their number 1 goalie. These numbers date back to the 2006-07 season, which is the first time that the modern day core of the Penguins have made it to the playoffs. Only regular season stats are captured here (and remember a game played doesn't always mean a player will be the goalie of record).

Month	GP	W	L	OTL	GAA	Save %	SO
October	38	23	12	2	2.60	.916	2
November	36	19	11	4	3.14	.891	1
December	32	15	14	2	2.69	.902	1
January	32	17	10	3	2.46	.922	3
February	30	16	7	5	3.25	.895	2
March	41	30	4	5	2.41	.913	4
April	10	6	3	1	2.16	.925	0

Fleury's by far reserved his best months as the calendar turns, particularly as the months grow longer. March sees a sterling 30-4-5 record, the most shutouts of any month and solid GAA and save percentage.

Also, a lot has been made about that "stupid" shutout, as Fleury called it. Pittsburgh is the only NHL team that hasn't earned a shutout in the 2009-10 season. Fans may remember MAF's personal shutout day, but the schedule maker hasn't done him any favors this year. Famously (if you like trivia anyways), Fleury has 3 straight shutouts on March 25th (2007, 2008 and 2009). The Pens don't play on March 25th this season, but they do play the Washington Capitals on 3/24...

...Yeah, Pens fans won't mind if that amazing streak continues a day in advance.

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That’s pretty ridiculous.

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by FrankD on Mar 16, 2010 7:14 AM EDT reply actions

the shutout day? I thought so too…

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Mar 16, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

haha buh dum tis

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by FrankD on Mar 17, 2010 5:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Fleury is money
more money means more power
power is Flower
.

by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 16, 2010 7:58 AM EDT reply actions

psst… Kris… go hit Geno in the foot.

“ye-e-e-e-e-e-s ma-a-a-a-a-a-a-s-ter”

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Mar 16, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Psssst Kris, go score a goal

I caaaaaaaaaaaaant (sob)

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by FrankD on Mar 16, 2010 11:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I CAN’T FIND THE NET!!!

PensBurgh

by JustinM on Mar 16, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I looks like a terribly choreographed “Electric Slide”……I bet MAF has better Rhythm.

"Let the Rabbits wear glasses"

by tehchico on Mar 16, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s sometimes maddening how inconsistent Fleury is during the first 4-5 months of the season. He has the skill set to be the best goalie in the league every single year. I don’t know if it is a lack of focus, he doesn’t have a backup that pushes him enough, or he just gets bored….

….But as long as he keeps turning it on at the end of the season and the playoffs, I am fine with it.

by Link_Gaetz on Mar 16, 2010 8:05 AM EDT reply actions

As much as I think Fleury is a big game goalie, I also think these stats reflect the overall inconsistency of the team during the winter doldrums. Using Hooks’ numbers, and my voodoo math, it looks like the Pens give up 31+ per game on average in January and February, and that number drops under 28 per game in March and April. The team tightens up the D as the games get bigger.

by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 16, 2010 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions

you read my mind. The team’s D plays better in the playoffs.

by CGNC on Mar 16, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

At least they did.

Let’s hope the pattern continues this spring. I am not prepared to take that for granted. First, and most obviously, there are several personnel changes on the blue line. Perhaps more importantly, this team is another year removed from the team-defense schooling of Michel Therrien. Last year Bylsma took over a team that had defensive responsibility drilled into their heads (some might think literally so). For all of Therrien’s faults, he was very helpful to these guys in this particular respect.

"Never mistake motion for action." - Ernest Hemingway

by SubLime on Mar 16, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

The team as a whole seems to gel (in the past two years anyway) after the trading deadline. Hopefully the trend will continue! MAF has played well, but he has better support in the later months, I think.

go pens!

by cyroose on Mar 16, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Pens give up 31+ per game on average in January and February, and that number drops under 28 per game

Luckily everyone hear is smart enough to figure out I meant “shots” per game….oops.

by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 16, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m hoping these sample sizes are big enough to be meaningful. I don’t know how big they have to be for that.

Either way, I don’t think people should get too upset about the shutouts. That’s easily as much, if not more, on the shoulders of the defense than on the goalie, and that goes for all teams. I haven’t run the numbers, but I expect that Fleury’s “expected” number of shutouts for the season based on his save percentage is higher than 0.

PensBurgh

by JustinM on Mar 16, 2010 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

I’m comfortable with the sample size, being as most months are 30-40 games, which is near 40-50% of a season. I think the trends of the past few seasons are clearly distinct enough to be meaningful (to us, at least).

Pensburgh.com

Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.

by Hooks Orpik on Mar 16, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s funny, too, because I was just working on a “Which team has the best goaltending squad” post idea. Only question is whether it should go on the front page or a fanpost since it’s not directly related to the Penguins.

PensBurgh

by JustinM on Mar 16, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

looking at the numbers this season the Pens are definitely in the bottom third of the league

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Mar 16, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Good thing numbers alone don’t win hockey games.

by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 16, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Not quite, but close. I have them 18th in the League. There’s no question for me that their ability to score goals at even strength is what’s kept the team afloat.

If that sounds like I’m talking about Washington…well, there’s not a whole lot of difference.

PensBurgh

by JustinM on Mar 17, 2010 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

The scariest shutout statistic

Vesa Toskala has more shutouts than the Pens

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by Kevin Sellathamby on Mar 16, 2010 2:36 PM EDT reply actions