Although it was never announced, although it's never been made official, although Cory Clouston never said anything about it (because he doesn't play that game), Brian Elliott is the de facto number 1 goaltender for the Senators.



The doubters only need look at the numbers to realize that Elliott is numero uno, had been for a while, and is making the most of it. Elliott played his 50th season game yesterday. Counting the three that were played by Mike Brodeur that means that Pascal Leclaire  has only played 22 games.

Elliott stands 7th in the league in shut-outs with five to his name. His saves percentage and goals against could be better, but that's because when the Senators fall apart, they fall apart as a team, defense, goalie, everything. So while Elliot usually lets in two goals or less and saves about 95% of shots, when he has a meltdown, it's a doozie, as happened against Atlanta recently.

Elliott seems to feed off the energy of the rest of the team usually doesn't let the team down, unless the team is letting him down. I believe that's one of the reasons that Clouston keeps starting him, he's a barometer for the entire team. That and he wins a lot.