Ghost Bear, another reason to doubt the impact of goalies?

Shayne Gostisbehere is a new defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers. He has been in the system and has more of history than just this partial season with the Flyers: read here for more.

The Flyers prior to Gostisbehere joining them were around 5-8-3. They were an up-and-down performing team, I think two of the wins were back-to-back shutouts by Michael Neuvirth. Many of the losses, the opponents scored 4 or more. With the forward depth they have, more was expected out of this team.

Enter Gostisbehere - not a better goalie nor has one goalie "stepped up" over the other. Mason and Neuvirth have been swapped plenty. And despite the wins increasing for the Flyers, to the point that they are now in control of their playoff destiny - tied with Detroit for the final playoff spot in the East with a game in hand over the Red Wings. But more importantly, they have been playing very good hockey. Going 31-16-10, 29 of the wins with Gostisbehere in the lineup.

First 16 games. 5 wins 13pts. Next 57 games - 31 wins 72pts.

Hockey is largely a system game. The game is played mostly in the space between the goals and in most cases the team that controls that space wins the game, regardless of the man in net. Philadelphia is showing to be a great example of this - add this smart, opportunistic mobile d-man and they are winning impressively. Goalies can change a moment but until shooters and playmakers get more credit for creating those moments and for failing those moments, I have to say Goalies are overrated.

Or maybe Shayne Gostisbehere is...it can't be both.