Elite goal scoring numbers can be enough to lead a team to the playoffs. However, there are few exceptions to the rule when it comes to the importance of elite goaltending on Stanley Cup-winning teams. After all, defense and goaltending lead to Stanley Cups, right?
The playoffs are a completely different animal than the regular season. With tighter checking and lower scoring totals the goaltenders will be thrust in to the spotlight. Here is a look at the NHL teams with the weakest goaltending situations.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Odds To Win Stanley Cup: +3000
For as good as Frederik Andersen has been at times this season there is no doubt the Maple Leafs deserve to be at the top of this list. Andersen went 33-16-14 with a 2.67 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. The young team in front of him didn’t help his overall numbers and the truth is that Andersen bailed Toronto out on a number of nights. However, Andersen left Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins after he was hit in the head. While he has shown no signs of concussion symptoms, it is clearly a concern for Maple Leafs fans. Curtis McElhinney is a very average backup and Toronto could be in big trouble if they were forced to rely on him at any point in the postseason. Andersen is a quality goaltender. However, consider him against the other quality of the other starting netminders in the playoffs. Add the fact that McElhinney is the backup and it should be clear that the Maple Leafs have the weakest goaltending situation among playoff teams.
Calgary Flames
Odds To Win Stanley Cup: +2800
The Flames received better goaltending as the season progressed with Brian Elliott eventually finding his game. However, Calgary still finished 14th in the NHL with an average of 2.7 goals per game. The 221 goals allowed by the Flames was the second-most among Western Conference playoff teams. Elliott finished with a 2.55 goals against average and a .910 save percentage, which are fairly pedestrian numbers. Chad Johnson’s numbers weren’t any better so there is no doubt Elliott is their best option. Calgary will have a much tougher time scoring goals against one of the most complete teams in the NHL in Anaheim. That means their goaltending situation will be in the spotlight once again.
Nashville Predators
Odds To Win Stanley Cup: +3000
No Western Conference playoff team allowed more goals than the Predators this season. Nashville’s 2.7 goals allowed per game ranked 15th in the NHL. Pekka Rinne gets a slight nod ahead of Elliott in terms of measuring the potential of the starting goaltenders. However, Rinne’s numbers support the idea that he wasn’t even the best goaltender on his team.
Rinne registered a 2.42 goals against average and a .918 save percentage, while youngster Juuse Saros recorded a 2.35 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. Rinne has been really good at times over the years but he has struggled with consistency this season and that should be a concern for Nashville. The Predators will likely stick with Rinne throughout their first round series with the Chicago Blackhawks. However, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Saros is ultimately their goalie of the future and he may be even the better option right now.
New York Rangers
Odds To Win Stanley Cup: +1500
It might seem surprising to see New York on this list of the NHL playoff teams with the weakest goaltending situations. However, a closer look at the numbers reinforces the fact that they deserve to be here. Toronto and Pittsburgh are the only Eastern Conference playoff teams that allowed more goals than the Rangers this season. However, Matt Murray is coming off an outstanding run leading the Penguins to a Stanley Cup last season. Marc-Andre Fleury is a veteran backup with Stanley Cup experience.
Meanwhile, a closer look at the Rangers numbers reveals that Lundqvist might not even be the best option on his own team. Lundqvist owns a 2.74 goals against average and .910 save percentage this season, while Antti Raanta produced a 2.26 goals against average and a .929 save percentage. Lundqvist has an exceptional track record. At 35-years-old, though, he is clearly approaching the end of his career. The Rangers will start their opening round series with Lundqvist between the pipes. However, it won’t surprise anybody if they switch to Raanta if Lundqvist struggles early on against the Montreal Canadiens.
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