s24 - Goalie Troubles In KC [WB3]

The biggest surprise for the Scouts in the early part of the season is the lack goaltending. Roberto Luongo has not been his normal self and has not looked good so fa this season. In eight games this season, Luongo has only two wins, a 3.88 GAA, a save percentage under .900%, and has already been pulled from a few starts. Niittymaki, also has not looked good in thee games this season and currently out with a long-term injury and might not return until later in the season. With Niittymaki out, Al Montoya has made his VHL debut and so far, Montoya has not taken the league by storm. In fact, Montoya has looked average at best in four games so far this season. With Niittymaki out long-term, Luongo will need to find his form quickly if the Scouts with to turn their poor around.

Not surprising, Paul Stastny and Joe Pavelski have been amazing. Stastny with seven goals and fourteen points. Pavelski with five goals and fifteen points.

Shocking is well the Scouts are still playing even if the continuous losing. The Scouts are in the middle of the pack for goals scored, the are playing with a strong forecheck, good board play, and continuing to play a solid defensive game, but the Scouts continue to have a leaky pipe between the pipes.

Shocking is the penalty kill being the better of the two special teams so far this season. The Penalty kill has 88% success rate, with the powerplay having only a 12% success rate. The Scouts will need this powerplay to score more moving forward, it might help turn some of those losses into wins.

Kansas City is playing an interesting style of hockey defensive-firewagon, and it is not proving to be successful. The Scouts will need to considering going back to a more defensive counter-striking style, which proved to be effective last season.

It is possible, the Scouts are able to turn their season around once Niittymaki returns to the lineup, but it might to late into the season.

343