Jimmy Howard has never won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings, and until he does so, questions about whether or not he's the man in net will continue to swell. And rightfully so.
That's just a simple fact of life for all goaltenders in the NHL, not just Howard—no one thinks you can go the distance until you actually do so. No one had Tim Thomas or Jonathan Quick penciled in as lights out money goaltenders until they played their best hockey in a Stanley Cup Final.
Now they are considered two of the best clutch netminders in recent memory. All it takes is that one run. That one sustained series of games and suddenly your name is engraved on the Cup alongside greats such as Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur.
Suddenly you're not just a great goaltender. You're a Cup-winning goaltender, and the gulf between those two distinctions is massive.
Even Chris Osgood, who is probably the most under-appreciated goalie in Red Wings history, finally received a bit of his due after winning his first Cup. Pundits and fans can say all they want about how good the team was in front of Ozzie, but the goalie s ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Franklin Steele
Is Detroit Red Wings’ Jimmy Howard a Stanley Cup-Caliber Goaltender?
July 25th, 2013 by Franklin Steele Leave a reply »
Advertisement