I fully expect goaltending to be the single biggest factor in a lockout-shortened season. A condensed schedule means goalies will be asked to a bit more in much less time, with an extra game as often as every fourth day. Sloppy play should dictate the pace in the early going, as training camp is short. The season starts next week and the CBA isn’t even ratified.
Here is my list of goalies who can take over a game. Be wary of betting against them. In my system, I evaluate roster talent and then look at the goaltending matchups. The line is never friendly with these guys, and they’re certainly beatable, but you never want to lose because Henrik Lundqvist saves 44 shots in a 1-0 overtime thriller.
Cheers,
Mark
1. Jonathan Quick – Stanley Cup champion and dominant as anyone – he masks the mediocrity of the Kings.
2. Henrik Lundqvist – Last year’s Vezina winner and on one of the best teams in hockey – expect ugly lines when betting on the Rangers this year.
3. Brian Elliot and Jaroslav Halak – The St. Louis Blues have two top goaltenders. Brian Elliot led the league in save percentage and goals against average, while Jaroslav Halak ranked fifth and sixth in those categories.
4. Cory Schneider – Schneider’s emergence from Roberto Luongo’s shadow gives Vancouver Canucks fans hope that their goalie woes in the playoffs are a thing of the past.
5. Pekka Rinne – Pekka Rinne provides stability for the Nashville Predators. Even though they lost Ryan Suter this offseason, expect the Nashville defense to remain strong.
6. Mike Smith – The Phoenix Coyotes are a mediocre franchise, but Mike Smith is incredible. His .930 saves percentage helped carry the Coyotes on a surprising playoffs run last year. Perhaps Mike Smith is a product of his system, but given the ordinary roster around him it’s hard to divert too much credit.
7. Ryan Miller – A concussion seemed to rattle Ryan Miller early last year as the Buffalo Sabres struggled, but when Miller was at his best the Sabres made a late run at the playoffs. The Team USA goaltender should put together a much more consistent season in 2013; He’s simply too talented not to.
8. Martin Brodeur – Arguably the greatest goaltender of all time proved last year that he still has something left in the tank. As the New Jersey Devils defense faltered on numerous occasions last season, Brodeur made countless highlight-reel saves to keep his team in games – particularly in the postseason. When the Devils got hot and streaked to the Stanley Cup Final, Brodeur was at his best. The legend lives on, and in a lockout-shortened season, Marty could win his last Stanley Cup the same way he won his first in 1995.
9. Mikka Kiprusoff – Often forgotten buried on a mediocre team in Calgary, Kipper continues to be one of the most consistent goaltenders in the NHL. Expect more of the same from the veteran in 2013.
10. Carey Price – Nobody questions the talent of the Habs’ goaltender. Price’s focus seems to come and go from week to week and season to season. If he can find a way to channel his abilities, the Montreal Canadiens have one of the best young goalies in hockey. If he puts together another inconsistent season, he certainly won’t make this list next year.
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