Funk still doing bits in the playoffs

[Victor 10,942]

To eliminate the heavily favoured Vancouver Wolves in just 5 games in round 1 of the playoffs, reigning 2-time playoff MVP stopped 185 out of 197 shots faced for a very decent .938 save %. Impressive as that is in its own right, what this meant was that in his short career, Funk has already had a save percentage above .930 in five different playoff series. The previous four contributed to cup-winning runs and two Daisuke Kanou Trophies. This one didn't end quite well as Seattle didn't make the finals, but adds to the growing legacy of Funk.

 

For context, only 8 other goalies since S18 have had at least 5 .931+ save % playoff series. Only 3 have had more – Hans Wingate leading the way with 7, Kanou naturally not far behind with 6, as is Apollo Skye, the underrated Quebec franchise goaltender of the 50s.

 

That is very elite company to be keeping and Funk still has half his career ahead of him. Goalie careers are far from linear and perhaps he will now find more regular season success than playoff wins. Or maybe he will double down on playoff dominance and beat his personal best of .943 (achieved against Toronto in S68), matching the stratospheric performances of the past, like Wingate's .975 against NY in S45 or Kanou's arguably even more impressive .968 in the finals against Toronto in S24.

 

Anyway, Funk is good and that's this week's 2 TPE.