Arturs Silovs outlines the key area he needs to improve right now after acknowledging his struggles
Photo credit: NHL.com
Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs isn't satisfied with how he has played this year, and he revealed the area of his play that he must improve on going forward.
Arturs Silovs announces his presence as soon as he steps onto the ice. He's the first out to glide and the loudest to be heard.
Lately, though, his outings have drawn the wrong kind of attention. In his last two starts, he hasn't even reached the halfway point.
How Arturs Silovs has struggled in November
On November 21, in a 5-0 loss at home to the Minnesota Wild, he logged only 21:06 after giving up four goals on ten shots. Eight days later, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he managed 24:37, again surrendering four goals on ten shots in a 7-2 defeat.
October had shown his potential, with a 3-1-2 mark, a 2.44 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and one shutout over six games. November has been rougher.
In six appearances, his record stands 1-3-2, with a 3.72 GAA and an .850 save percentage.
"I think it was a lot of traffic," Silovs said. "I felt like it was a little bit harder to find the puck. And when it's harder to find the puck, the game gets faster. You're always a little bit behind it. And at this level, you can't really do that."
"The second month, it was just two (bad) games," Silovs said. "Other than that, it was pretty good. I don't think it was a month. It was two games."
"The second month, it was just two (bad) games," Silovs said. "Other than that, it was pretty good. I don't think it was a month. It was two games."
The rookie acknowledges that goaltending comes in waves. His teammate Tristan Jarry understands the struggle himself, having been waived twice last season before a steadier showing this year.
"Obviously, I've had some bad moments in my career," goaltender Tristan Jarry said. "It's part of goaltending and it's part of the ups and downs of the NHL. It's a relentless league. When you're not feeling at your best or 100%, I think the only way through is just to keep working."
Jarry sits at 8-2-0 with a 2.57 GAA and a .911 save percentage, a reminder that recovery is possible.
Why Arturs Silovs isn't losing hope
Silovs hasn't strayed from the detailed practice and warm-up routine he has adopted; he believes the better results will follow.
"It's a long season," Silovs said. "There's a lot of things that can impact. It's a learning process, just being consistent. Especially with a longer season here (in the NHL). Just trying to find that foundation in your game and just stick with it."
One bad night isn't going to define a season, and for a young netminder navigating the NHL's ups and downs, it's patience and consistency that will remain key.
If he can find his stride again, the Penguins will take notice, and when that happens, the roar will be unmistakable.
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