History has shown that a hot goaltender can carry a team to the Stanley Cup. Jonathan Quick literally put the Los Angeles Kings on his back en route to the franchise’s first championship. As a rookie in 1986, Patrick Roy announced his arrival into the NHL with another banner in the fabled Montreal Forum.

This year will be no different. You have to score more goals than your opponent to win, but if you have an ace up your sleeve, or between the pipes, you have a decided advantage.

We are halfway through the first round of the playoffs and though the San Jose Sharks will have some down time waiting for their next game, the remaining series are very competitive. Here are the top five goalies in the playoffs right now.

5.Brian Elliott, St. Louis Blues

Last year’s surprise effort from Elliott was deserving of Vezina consideration, but most “experts” saw the journeyman’s efforts as a flash in the pan. Elliott was average this season in relief of Jaroslav Halak, but didn’t seem to be the brick wall he was last year. The last week of the season saw him return to form and help lift the Blues to the 4th seed in the Western Conference. The rematch with Los Angeles and Jonathan Quick has been a joy to watch as the two elite goalies take turns making great stops at each end of the ice.

4. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings

I suppose Quick was saving his best stuff for the playoffs. After a disappointing regular season, he has stepped up his game and helped the Kings dig out of an 0-2 series hole. His ongoing duel with St. Louis’ Brian Elliott has been one of the great stories of the playoffs.

3. Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators

His GAA might not be the best, but Anderson has been a rock for Ottawa in this powder keg of a series. With emotions and tempers riding at an incredible high, Anderson has been unflappable in the Senator’s net.

2. Antti Niemi, San Jose Sharks

With all the credit being doled out in San Jose for their sweep of the Canucks, the biggest high five goes to Antti Niemi. The Finnish backstop celebrated the sweep Wednesday by being nominated for the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender. Niemi carried the Blackhawks to the Stanley cup in 2010, we’ll see if he can take the Sharks to the promised land.

1. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks

It’s a toss up for the top spot, and Corey Crawford has been spectacular in the “closer than the 3-1 series indicates” matchup with Minnesota. His goals against average and save percentage is the best in the NHL. Tuesday night’s shutout was his first of the postseason, but came against a demoralized Wild team that was forced to play its third-string goalie. Look for Crawford to be tested much more in Game 5.