Todd McLellan - Not a Goalie Stats Coach

[smack]

Niittymaki has a 17-0 record against the Thrashers and a 8-2-2 record against the Hurricances.

So McLellan starts Niemi both of those games. I can maybe understand the Canes' game (as they can still come back) but the Thrashers' game? Like how often is a goalie 17-0 against a team? Maybe it's just the vodka talking but I don't get it.

[Big Ev]

Those are all past numbers though. They're not the same team every year. Although 17-0 is alarming, wow.

[CommittedToTheIndian]

Good point. Not just 17-0 but 1.76, .940. His last two years in Philly, I grabbed Niitty out of the FA pool whenever a date with ATL was upcoming because I knew he was money vs. the Thrash, and then I'd throw him back right after the game. Is he nursing a minor injury? Or maybe McLellan has already decided Niemi's his guy. I thought it was supposed to be an open competition until someone took the job and ran with it.

[smack]

Those are all past numbers though. They're not the same team every year. Although 17-0 is alarming, wow.

That's all I'm saying. Like I said, I understand the Canes game, but if you've got a goalie 17-0 against a team, you've got to start him. I'd understand if Niemi is their clear #1 (which he might be but maybe not officially announced) but how could you ignore 17-0?

[metaldude26]

It's my understanding that Niitty's dominance of the Thrashers arose from a rivalry with fellow Fin and former Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen who he has dominated in head-to-head matchups dating back to their years back in Finland.

Now obviously not every game that he won against the Thrashers was with Lehtonen in net but I think you get the idea. I'm more curious to see if McLellan gives Niittymaki the start in games against Lehtonen's new team and San Jose division rival, the Dallas Stars.