“If only the Caps could get even average goaltending...”
You’ve heard it. You’ve probably lamented it yourself.
Here’s the thing: the Caps have actually gotten better than average goaltending... from a certain point of view.
But first, what do we mean when we say “average goaltending”? A League-average save percentage in all situations (currently .909)? Or at five-on-five (.919 at present)? Maybe we mean some amorphous idea of “making almost all the saves he should make and a few he shouldn’t.”
The problem with those first two suggestions is that they’re fairly dependent on the defense in front of the netminder.