| | The Matchup: Mike Richter vs. Martin Brodeur
The Question: Who would be the better Game 7 goalie?
Mike Richter
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Martin Brodeur
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It's a matter of style
You have contrasting styles here which makes it an interesting matchup to look at.
Richter is not as big as Brodeur. But he might be the most fit, agile and athletic goalie in the NHL. He is just a tremendous athlete. Because of that, he relies on his reflexes.
Richter will come a long way out of the net to challenge. If his teammates don't have coverage down low, goals can be scored on him when he's a long way out of the net. That's been a knocked on Mike sometimes. But I think he's changed his game somewhat depending on who he's playing against. Against a team like the Penguins that passes a lot, he's probably likely to stay in a little deeper because they pass so much around the net.
Due to his tremendous physical condition and athleticism, Richter can withstand so much pressure. When teams are camped in the Rangers zone and are bombarding him with shots, his great fitness and athleticism allows him to keep making great save after great save. He can keep the Rangers in games even when the team is playing poorly.
Brodeur is a much bigger guy. When he's in equipment there is just so little net to look at. He has a conservation of motion. As opposed to Richter, he's more about positioning. Now, that doesn't mean he's not athletic or in excellent shape, but it is a very different look. He plays the butterfly style. He's very much like a Patrick Roy, where you don't see as much motion. If you make the perfect shot, you're probably going to score. But Brodeur isn't going to give you any easy goals.
One of the things that Brodeur provides is outstanding play outside the net. He is one of the best puckhandling goalies in the NHL . Richter handles the puck well, but Brodeur is exceptional. He's almost like having a third defensemen on the ice. It alters the style of the opposing team. That's really a big extra that he gives the Devils. He is a presence in the entire defensive zone, not just the net. He can be very frustrating for a team that thrives on forechecking and getting the puck down low and cycling. He can essentially take them out of their game by catching their forecheck before it even gets started.
In terms of who I'd want in net in a seventh game, I really think that it's dead even. They both have big game experience, and they've both won a Stanley Cup. It would almost come down to who your opposition was going to be. Perhaps, if you were going to play a team that thrives on the forecheck, then Brodeur would be the goalie you'd want in net. But with the way these guys have played in the past and the way they're playing right now, you really can't go wrong with either one.Brian Engblom is a color commentator and analyst for ESPN's NHL coverage. He played 11 seasons in the NHL. | |
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