Stanley Cup Playoffs: Goaltending Question Marks

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Several Teams Facing Question Marks in the Crease

Several teams are facing uncertainty as they head into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While some teams face injuries to their starter, others have multiple options to choose from.

As it stands today, there are upwards of eight teams (half of total postseason participants) facing question marks in the crease. With a little over a week to get rested, some clubs are hoping the problem can fix itself.

John Gibson/Frederik Andersen, Anaheim Ducks

Andersen is currently dealing with a concussion. Both Ducks goalies were spectacular this season (Andersen’s record would look better with more goal support).

John Gibson likely has the edge leading into the postseason, but the recent injury should help make the decision easier.

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Corey Crawford/Scott Darling, Chicago Blackhawks

Corey has been dealing with an upper-body injury recently, giving way to Scott Darling, who started the last nine games for Chicago.

It sounds as though Crawford will be healthy enough for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs barring any setbacks. The Blackhawks need Crawford after a Vezina-worthy season if they have any hope of capturing back-to-back Stanley Cup’s.

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Petr Mrazek/Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings

After running away with the starter role, Mrazek hit a recent rut. His last four outings have been atrocious.

Jimmy Howard has been an upgrade of late, not allowing more than two goals in his last four appearances, but the Red Wings will need better goaltending if they hope to secure one of the final playoff spots.

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Kari Lehtonen/Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars

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The pair share a similar stat-line. Niemi has only started four more games, and both have 24 wins. Lehtonen has a 2.78GAA and .907 save percentage with two shutouts, Niemi has a 2.68GAA and .905 save percentage with three shutouts.

Throw the goals against average out the window in mid-April as Playoff hockey is a different breed of beast. GM Jim Nill is a smart man. He assembled a team that puts them in a good position to go deep, and Lindy Ruff has two legitimate options to ride the hot hand.

If they can tighten things up defensively, the Stars will be dangerous.

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Jaroslav Halak/Thomas Greiss/J-F Berube, NY Islanders

Halak was ruled out for six weeks with a groin injury back on March 9th. It’s unclear when he will healthy enough to play again. In the meantime, the Islanders are featuring Thomas Greiss and Jean-Francois Berube (day-to-day Christopher Gibson called-up on emergency basis).

Greiss was having a fantastic 2015-16 season filling in for the oft-injured Jaroslav Halak. The wheels have begun to fall off over the past month, but he still managed to keep the Isles in games. There’s always a possibility that New York can find a way to win a series without Halak, but it may prove extremely difficult.

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Steve Mason/Michal Neuvirth, Philadelphia Flyers

After suffering a meniscus tear in his knee, Neuvirth was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season. It’s unclear how long he will be sidelined – Neuvirth was among the NHL’s best goaltenders in 2015-16.

Steve Mason had a shaky first half, but has settled in nicely since losing his reliable backup. He is undoubtedly playing his best hockey of the year, and Philly will need that to help secure a playoff spot. The Flyers will need a second option (healthy Neuvirth) if they plan to make any noise in the postseason.

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Marc-Andre Fleury/Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins

The surging Penguins are one of the NHL’s hottest teams of late, and look unstoppable. Unfortunately, injuries continue to mount (Evgeni Malkin, Olli Maatta, and now Marc-Andre Fleury).

It’s unclear how long Fleury will miss due to a concussion, although it seems young Matt Murray is poised to step up in his absence. After tearing apart the AHL for the last year and a half, Pittsburgh finally gave Murray NHL experience in 2015-16, and he hasn’t looked back.

With the way the Penguins are surging, it makes you wonder if Matt Murray can pull off a 2006 Cam Ward type performance in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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Brian Elliott/Jake Allen, St.Louis Blues

Elliott has 21 wins in 35 starts, including a 2.03GAA .931 save percentage and four shutouts. Allen has 26 wins in 44 starts, with a 2.35GAA .920 save percentage and six shutouts. The pair have combined to be the NHL’s hottest goalie tandem in 2015-16. Each filled in admirably for one another as both spent separate time on the IR at some point.

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Jake Allen left Sunday’s game with an undisclosed injury. It’s unclear what his status is for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If healthy, it makes sense to start Allen regardless of the statistics. He took a big step in development this year, and played well last spring (2014-15).

Elliott had more than enough years to stake his claim on the starter role, only to fall short when it mattered most. There’s a reason he assumes backup duties. He simply makes for a solid temporary second option if Jake Allen struggles.

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