Jonas Hiller, Karri Ramo Calgary Flames Goaltending Battle

Oct 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Calgary Flames goalie Jonas Hiller (1) makes a save on Chicago Blackhawks left wing Daniel Carcillo (13) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Jonas Hiller getting the start Tuesday night in Toronto may not solidify his status as the Flames #1 goalie but it sure does help solidify Karri Ramo‘s status as the Flames #2 goalie.

After five consecutive starts, Ramo is being benched after the Flames lost in his fifth game.  I know some folks are pushing the “win and in your in” status with our goalies but I don’t buy into that theory.  I believe in a structured starter/backup combination mixed in with a little bit of riding the hot hand.

On October 28th, the 11th game of the season, Coach Bob Hartley publicly announced that the faithful platoon of his two goalies was over and the net would be Hiller’s.  Hiller played 5 consecutive games, winning the middle three and giving up 4 in his final outing.  Hiller’s day off in Florida was cut short when he came in relief of Karri Ramo (more the team’s fault than Ramo’s).  After not looking good in a loss to Carolina, Hartley came back with Hiller to defeat Arizona on November 13.

After a scheduled game off, Hiller played and defeated his old team the Anaheim Ducks before losing to the Chicago Blackhawks.  Karri Ramo drew the New Jersey Devils game, in part to help line up Hiller with another meeting against his former squad the Ducks.  That was November 25th and that was the last we have seen Mr. Hiller as Mr. Ramo has been the hot hand.

It would have been so simple to give Ramo one more start versus the Toronto Maple Leafs then rest him on Thursday versus the Buffalo Sabres.  I will argue until the Oilers win a Stanley Cup that if it Hiller that had been hot the past week, he would have got a 6th straight start to set up being rested for the Friday game in Pittsburgh.

Win or lose on Tuesday in Toronto, I believe Ramo gets Buffalo on Thursday and Jonas Hiller, our #1 goalie, gets the big test on Friday in Pittsburgh.