Of "all time"? He's on the cusp of it, however, his style of play, violent propensities and "acting", well, not exactly Marquis of Queensbury sportsmanlike behaviour which unfortunately his detractors can pretty much have a field day with. In one game in the late 70's I think it was, he broke 3 sticks in 1 period against the ankles & shins of his opponents. Thats not an easy thing to do with a goalie stick even if you wind up & windmill the sucker against a post, let alone at someones leg or ankle. Thats just plain psycho, and no excuse.
Reviled league wide by players & fans everywhere and for damn good reason. In Game 4 of the 83 SC Finals for eg, Smith pulls a Dive, fools Andy Van Hellemond, Anderson of the Oilers getting 5min's, Isles go on to win the game & the Cup. Post game Van H realizes whats happened, feels like a tool. Next year, 84 Finals with the Oilers & Isles at it again, doesnt bother calling a blatant charge by Anderson on Smith, getting even I suppose, along with a lot of other crap as its just not smart to be making a fool of Ref's period.
That being said, ya, Id call Hatchet Man a "clutch goalie". Good example of that being in Game 1 of the 83 Finals, setting precedent, absolutely stoning the Oilers of Messier & Gretzky 2-Zip, a loss that seriously deflated & demoralized a young team like that, never really fully recovering as he'd gotten right into their heads. Something he was absolutely expert at. Absolutely hated, and I mean hated the opposition. In 1980 as well the Playoff Format was changed from best Best of 5 to Best of 7 with another Round added. More series & games, longer road to the Stanley Cup. His record better than Drydens of the preceding decades Habs dominance when balanced and everyone else's he played against during that era so yes, "clutch performer".
Member of the HHOF and deserves it. But Top 5 All Time? Like at 2 or 3 where youve got him? Not in my Book. But y'know what, if you like that kind of goalie, your perfectly entitled to rank him wherever you want, even #1. Its a wonder he didnt end someones career quite frankly, probably shortened several, absolutely caused dozens to miss a lot of games. Thats not something Id ever be proud of but hey, for some, hockey is total & complete war. It certainly was for me when I played, but tell ya what? Rules of engagement. Some things you just didnt do, and taking out net crashers or screen shot artists like you were taking down a RedWood, just dont. A whacks ok, but not with intent to injure, never. Billy just didnt have any limits that way. He was dirty, he cheated, not impressed, but definitely clutch & a damn good goalie. If he couldve just cooled it a notch or two, no problem.
Glad I could be of help. Battlin Billy needs all the friends & fans he can get I suppose. Playing goal is all a matter of degree's. He doesnt really get (nor do the Islanders of that era) the level of respect from the fans, several sectors of the hockey intelligentsia that he deserves IMHO. He played & came up through one of the more violent era's in the sport, was ultra-aggressive, ideal for the way the way the game was being played. Too many milquetoasts back then, before, after, to this very day. He took the clearing of his crease, keeping the shooting lanes open to a whole new level. Excellent skater, stickhandler, pretty good actor as well. By hook or by crook. Nothin wrong with that.
