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It could just be coincidence. It could require science. Or, it could just be....those red pads looked goofy as s%#t. But since switching out of the red pads to his current white set, Brian Elliott has been dominant in net. How dominant? Let’s examine.
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Red Pad Brian Elliott
| Games Started | Record | Goals Allowed | Saves | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 3-9-1 | 43 | 330 | .882 |
Elliott struggled mightily during the start of the season, including the back to back shellackings he took at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers in Calgary’s first two games. His 0-3 start did him in and his last start in the red pads was a 2-1 OT loss to the Islanders. After that, Chad Johnson took over the goaltending duties and went on a run that basically saved the Flames season, starting 8 straight games.
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White Pad Brian Elliott
| Games Started | Record | Goals Allowed | Saves | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 12-4-1 | 55 | 474 | .899 |
Was it the change of pads or the 8 days off to clear his head? Whatever it was Brian Elliott went 5-1-0 in his next 6 and it was his turn to take over the starting goaltending duties as Chad Johnson started to falter. Elliott is currently 9-1-1 in his last 11 and is thriving in Glen Gulutzan’s new “win and you’re in” system. He’s making huge saves and keeping the Flames in low scoring games where they are either down a goal or tied.
Is it the pads or is Elliott finally getting settled into the Flames system? Was it the opponents? Was it the team playing better in front of him? Goalies are superstitious and people really do believe in that stuff, so I guess anything is possible. But let’s face it, Brian Elliott did take the Blues to Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals last season, so he’s got talent. It is, however, a little strange that after he took off those goofy as all red pads that he went on the current run he’s having with the Flames.
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