Goalie News Wednesday April 15, 2009

By David Hutchison On April 15, 2009

Goalies in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

The playoffs start today! Not surprisingly, most of the news about goalies is previewing the matchups.

Looking at all the goalies

There is the potential for some classic match ups in the first round, and of course a real possibility we could see a low-seeded team go on a run with a hot goalie. There are a few publications who have looked at all the match ups, including one that goes into the past a bit:

NBC Sports “Grading the Goalies” looks at all the goalies in the playoffs
In the NHL Playoffs, It’s All About Your Goalie The Sporting News looks at all the goalie matchups
Flyers, Blue Jackets are playoff sleepers: Play of their goalies among keys in pulling off upsets.
History: Goalies who mattered – from the StlToday.com in St. Louis
Brodeur wants a bigger crease – and other Goalie Issues for the Playoffs
- Martin Brodeur wants to see more blue paint on the ice.
- Is Theodore the Caps weak link?
- Hiller lascks playoff experience
- Brodeur vs. Ward

Bruins / Habs

It’s Vezina favorite Tim Thomas taking on last year’s golden boy who is looking to make up for a shaky year in Carey Price. I think like most, I have to call this one in Thomas’ favor – but if Carey can find his old form, anything could happen:

TSN.ca Video – Habs/Bruins both need solid goaltending to succeed in first round match up.
Bruins goalie Tim Thomas can’t wait for another crack at the post-season.
Ovechkin, Thomas earn USA TODAY year-end accolades
Canadiens likely to need big effort from goalie Carey Price to beat Bruins

Devils / Canes

This one could be one of the most intriguing battles. The man widely regarded as the best ever, with the youngster who won is first Cup as a rookie. Brodeur came back from his injury absolutely on fire but has cooled off of late. Ward on the other hand was a key piece in the ‘canes playoff push and is on top of his game. If you had to pick at the beginning of the year, most would take Brodeur. But right now in this playoff matchup – I think I’d take Ward.

Caps / Rangers

I think most people would call this one in Lundqvist’s favor – some saying that’s all the Rangers have on the Caps. The Caps though will hope that Jose can find some of his old Hart Trophy winning form – chances are that is far to far away…

Lundqvist vs. Theodore: A Brief Swedish Lesson

Pens / Flyers

There wasn’t much to separate Marc-Andre Fleury and Martin Brodeur statistically this year. Biron has shown the ability to come up big in the playoffs and Fleury was a big part of the Pens run to the finals last year. I’d call this an anything can happen – who will get hot?

Red Wings / Jackets

You have to feel for Ozzie. Stanley Cup rings, 10th all-time on the wins list, and his family (and I hope the wings) are the only people who would call the goaltending matchup with super-rookie Steve Mason in his favor. While I’d bet on Mason to have the best chance of the huge first round upset, can you really discount al of Ozzie’s experience dealing with pressure?

Columbus Blue Jackets - Columbus Goaltender Steve Mason Among 10 Finalists for First NHL Award to be Voted on by Fans
Bob Hunter commentary: Mason could be in heads of Red Wings
Osgood knows repeat pressure rests on his shoulders

Sharks / Ducks

Nabby is a potential Vezina finalist, and some people still wonder if Giguere should be playing for Anaheim, with his Cup winning pedigree. Call this one for Nabby even though lots of people are planning on the Ducks being the big upset.

Giguere expects a seat for Game 1

Canucks / Blues

Despite splitting the season series, despite Chris Mason putting the Blues on his back and carrying them to the playoffs, and despite some occasionally shakey stints down the stretch for Luongo – just about every pundit is calling this one in Luongo’s favor. Luongo though finished off the year letting only one goal in three games, and has a reputation for being able to to on goaltending clinics that can’t be matched. I have to call it in Vancouver’s favor (hey, I’m a BC guy and my 2 yr old has a life size Luongo on his wall) but I think this goaltending matchup will be closer than others are calling it – we could see a lot of OT in this one.

Canuck forwards need to solve hot Blues goalie
Mason saved the season for Blues
The Blues’ net gain: Team’s charge into postseason can be traced to decision to install Chris Mason as the No. 1 golatender.

Blackhawks / Flames

Habby or Kipper? Either one can steal games and get in the oppositions heads. In September nobody would take Habby’s contract if you gave it to them. Now though he his heading into the playoffs on a much better roll than Kiprusoff who struggled down the stretch. I’m calling this one for the Hawks.

Non-Playoff News

Miller wants ‘swagger’ back
The questions echoed off the empty locker stalls over and over Monday. What went wrong? What needs to be fixed? How can the Buffalo Sabres return to the playoffs? The more Ryan Miller talked, the more obvious the answer became.