The NHL is in a RVH Pandemic
In the NHL, a reverse VH is a tactic goalies use to play when near the posts of the net. The RVH has become well liked over the past number of years in the NHL and is still a strategy goalies use today often. On TNT, Henrik Lundqvist discusses why he thinks the NHL is in an RVH pandemic.
Henrik Lundqvist states that the reverse VH is really overused in the league right now and that he understands that they have new moves that happen with goaltending and that at times it makes sense to use this tactic. However, this strategy is being overused and at the wrong times during a game. Lundqvist goes on to say that there is no reason to use the RVH from the angle goalies are currently using it.
Lundqvist thinks that goalies should instead be up and ready to block the shots on goal directly in front of the goal instead of going down. When the goalies are down, they leave the net bare in other angles and the RVH makes it harder for them to move back to the center of the net making it easier for the opponent to score a goal. Lundqvist goes on to say that he doesn't understand why goalies chose the RVH since it limits their blocking abilities on the ice.
When his coworker's play the discovery highlights, it's clear to see why the RVH tactic in that type of setting isn't the correct strategy. Lundqvist goes on to say that he doesn't understand the goalie's logic in that moment and that there are so many other tactics they could use and yet they are constantly using the RVH as a go to move. Lundqvist also states that goalies all make mistakes from time to time, but he still has a hard time understanding why they chose the RVH and wants to understand what is really going on with their decision making when there are so many new techniques they could be choosing from.
Most fans agree with Lundqvist, while another fan states that it is simply the way goalies are coached and that to change it, they need to be advised differently. Another fan states that mobility and angles are key to success. I think it is a mix of what goalies are getting coached to do and mobility and angles. In order to get coached better tactics the goalie has to have a coach that is great at his job and I think there are very far and few between in the NHL right now.
