Through the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs there have certainly been some notable performances. The first round is wrapping up this week with at least two Game 7’s scheduled for Wednesday night.
In the postseason it is defense that usually wins championships, or so the saying goes. The NHL is no different in this regard and when the games matter the most, the ice surface shrinks. A hot goaltender can change the pace of a game and the direction of a series. With 16 wins required to reach hockey immortality, having a great goaltender is a huge advantage.
As the number of playoff participants gets cut in half by Thursday, the masked men in net will continue to take center stage in the next round of the playoffs. Here are your top performers so far.
Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
If the Bruins win the Stanley Cup this year, and they look very much like they could, Rask could take over the unofficial title of “Best Goaltender in the World”. In fact, regardless of what Boston does moving forward, it is safe to say that Rask’s name has to be in the discussion right now. In the first round Rask shut down a Detroit team that knows how to score, allowing only six goals in the five game series. Historic rivals Montreal come calling in the next round and Rask can add to his legacy with an equally dominant performance against the hated Habs.
Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
I’ve been all over Crawford as the Achilles heel to the Blackhawks winning machine and I’ll be the first to admit that he has shown up big time. In an emotionally charged, physical series against a rival, Crawford was arguably the best player in the series. He had a shutout and an amazing .935 save percentage in the six-game series. I’m not ready to tag Crawford as the reason that the Blackhawks can repeat as champions, but if he can continue to play at this level he won’t be the reason that they don’t.
Darcy Kuemper, Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota goaltending carousel stopped on their precocious rookie, Kuemper after injuries and confidence felled the more conventional options. After a rough start to the series, coach Mike Yeo rolled the dice on Kuemper and the fortunes for the Wild seemed to change. He has gone 3-1 in the last four games surrendering three goals in Minnesota’s three home games. A Game 7will be the biggest test to date for the 23-year old, but he has shown that he can come up huge when Minnesota has needed him.
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
Before his Game 6 performance I had Henrik Lundqvist included in the mix. With his inability to step up big in playoff games, I’ll through Mr. Quick in his place. The playoffs have been a Jekyll and Hyde situation for the 2012 Conn Smythe winner. In Games 1-3, Quick looked like he was swatting mosquitoes instead of pucks, getting torched by the circling Sharks. Facing elimination, Quick put on his big boy goalie pants and slammed the door on San Jose, surrendering only four goals in Games 4-6. With survival on the line in San Jose tomorrow, Quick and the Kings will be looking to complete an improbable comeback against their hated rivals from the north.
Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
Price isn’t sporting the gaudy numbers of the other net minders on this list, but he has yet to taste defeat in the postseason, which has to account for something. The Tampa series was closer than the 4-0 sweep might indicate, and Price was required to be sharp throughout. Aside from Game 2, every game was a nail-biter and the Montreal goaltender was on point when he was needed. A tall order waits in the next round as old friends Boston renew their historic acquaintance.