I expect this kind of statement from the general NHL board and from people who didn't/don't watch the Blues play very often. It was pretty much the party line on the main board last season. But its not true. Hitchcock's system didn't help Halak or Elliott avoid looking like garbage early this season.
The Blues hold opponents to lower numbers of shots through Hitchcock's system, but they tend to give up plenty of high quality scoring chances...and they did that last year, too. But last year, it was almost a given that Elliott/Halak would stop them.
Elliott got in a zone of high confidence that was impressive to see. I think he can do it again. If we could see that from him for the entire post-season....something magical could happen. I'm skeptical, but hopeful. But to chalk it up like: plug in goalie X into Hitchcock's system and get record-setting save percentages. That's baloney.
Rebounds, and breakaways are what make Elliot look silly out there. Now sometimes, when Elliot does not make the first move on a break-a-way he looks like a stud, but man sometimes he looks like he is loosing his pants out there.
And yes you can always add a goalie that is ok and they will look good in our system to a point, but as you said, early in the season our tenders looked like garbage. Goaltending is a lot like Golf, it is all a mental game and if you feel up and strong and you have had the fundamental practice to back up your playing (and I mean regular practice all the time) you are going to be strong. But for whatever reason, Halak and Elliot looked to be cruising down the highway in the middle lane day-dreaming about the cup...
But, and this is a big but, if Elliot is indeed elite, then he should be stopping all of those few high quality chances. If you want to call him elite, or if anyone does, I will not buy in until he regularly stops the high quality shots and does not become the flat tire that needs to head to the "A" for reconditioning....
I would absolutely not put him in top 5 category. He's been good, yes. The overall team defense has been stellar over the last 6 games, as well.
That being said the discrepancies between NHL caliber goaltenders is very small, and at this level their play is typically more of a reflection of the help in front of them. The real difference is where a goalie can either steal a game, or lose it with errors. All goaltenders are a by-product of their team's play.
He has been sharp, and is playing very confident right now. But I would still hesitate to claim that Elliott > Halak, but only because that is an absolute statement with no room for other factors to be considered.
Right now, either Halak, Elliott, or Allen can win a stretch of games for the St. Louis Blues (assuming health, of course).
But again, saying Brian Elliott is a top 5 goalie in the NHL is a very long stretch. If he can keep this level of play up for a couple more seasons, then I'd start to consider it. But 3 straight shutouts is actually an anomaly at this level, and probably not a true indicator of how "good" a goaltender is.
Edit: You probably won't see too many "Top 5" goaltenders go from borderline waivers and conditioning stints to such an "elite" level of play. See: Lundy, Rinne, Quick etc...
To add to your statement about the anomaly of 3 shutouts, Lundqvuist finally got his first shutout of the year last weekend. He has had a struggling team in front of him and Lundy is normally always listed in the year to year Vezina talks as real candidate.
There are probably around 20-22 real starter goalies in the league right now. I'd put Elliott around 25-28. You just ignore my reasoning for what I said. Yes. I realize Elliott put up unreal numbers last year, congratulations on opening up NHL.com.
For you guys to be saying two goalies putting up like 15 shutouts isn't related to the system they are playing in is crazy. Wait until Elliott is playing in a different system until you tell me I'm wrong again.
Elliot's success with OTT? I have no clue, he rose like a rocket with only seconds later a big boom followed with a fizzle. COL, wow, with that performance I really questioned why we even picked him up. STL get's him, oh ok we have an ex elite prospect as a backup now. Then he goes on a regular season terrorizing of the league (when facing few rebounds, or harrowing conditions) and folds up like a lawn chair in the playoffs when the Blues get outplayed.
Elliot does a pretty good job (notice I said good not elite) of stopping the first shot, after that if there is a rebound we are rolling the dice.
While this is true, I'd take any one of those goalies over Elliot every day of the week.
Also, if you look at playoff stats instead, it tells quite a different story.
Elliott: 12 games - .886 sv% - 2.92 GAA
Lundqvist: 55 games - .917 sv% - 2.31 GAA
Rinne: 28 games - .916 sv% - 2.41 GAA
Price: 26 games - .907 sv% - 2.84 GAA
Luongo: 61 games - .916 sv% - 2.53 GAA
And...
Halak: 23 games - .923 sv% - 2.42 GAA
I really like Elliott as a person, and he's probably a great teammate. And I really hope he can keep playing the way he has done lately.
Yeah, and even Halak has me holding my breath during a game. In my Blues viewing experience (started paying attention in `86) I have never felt comfortable with any of our goalies. Sure they have had some hot runs, but everything seemed to fizzle for us over some weak goal, or some brain meltdown of our tenders.
While Elliot seems like a nice guy, nice guys that are not elite are not a coveted #1.
