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Saturday, April 20, 2013

Evening Reading: Who's The Best Goalie Tandem In The NHL?


In this shortened 2013 NHL season, with games nearly every other night, teams that have been able to boast two quality netminders have a distinct advantage. Let's take a look at some of the best goalie tandems in the NHL, in no particular order...

Corey Crawford and Ray Emery - Chicago Blackhawks: Before the season, there was some trepidation among Hawks fans regarding the quality of their goaltending. Though Crawford had shown moments of skill since taking over from the departed Antti Niemi, he had yet to establish himself as a dominant, 1A starter. As for Emery, after some troubled years, he signed with the Hawks before the 2011-12 season and had a solid, if unspectacular, first year backing up Crawford. So the hope was that they would be at least good enough to support a Hawks team that is very deep up front and on the blueline. They've done so, so much more than that. Currently the Hawks looks poised to win their first President's Trophy since the 1990-91 season, and that's thanks to their goaltending, not despite it. Crawford has been brilliant, currently sitting 4th in goals against average (2.00) and tied with Emery for 9th in save percentage (.923). Emery's GAA has been even better (1.91) and between them they have more wins than any other duo in the league. Added to that is the fact that Crawford and Emery could win the Jennings trophy this year, having allowed the fewest goals against in the entire league. This must be a great relief for everyone in Chicago, as if one falters in the playoffs, the other is perfectly capable of taking the reigns. They could just top it off with a Stanley Cup.

Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin - Boston Bruins: Similar to Chicago, there was also some uncertainty between the pipes for the Bruins heading into this season. Tim Thomas decided, for some reason, not to honor his contract and that he would sit out the season. Though people had confidence in Rask to take over as the starter, (his career numbers have been great) nobody outside of Boston had any idea he would be this good. Rask has turned out to be a solid Vezina candidate, currently top 5 in goals against average, save percentage and shutouts. Khudobin however, has been the real surprise. Entering the season with only 7 games of NHL experience, "Dobby" has a brilliant stat line (2.20 GAA, .925 S% and 9 wins in just 13 games) this season, while looking like a calm veteran. Together they have combined for just 97 goals against this season, which is 3rd in the NHL. Though Rask is expected to start throughout the playoffs this year, it's nice to know the Bruins have a little insurance in case they need it on the way to their second Stanley Cup in 3 seasons.

Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner - Ottawa Senators: Little needs to be said about the season that Anderson has had for the Sens. Leading the league in both goals against average (1.52) and save percentage (.949), Anderson is simply the best goalie in the world right now. Had he not missed a quarter of the season with injury, and thus reducing his win totals, there is no doubt Anderson wins the Vezina hands down, and perhaps the Hart as well. He may still win one of them, he's just that good. However Ottawa is not a one goalie team, and young backup Lehner has been excellent in relief. His .936 save percentage is second only to Anderson in the NHL, and his goals against average is a very respectable 2.22. Depending on how the remaining games go, Anderson and Lehner may just take the Jennings from Crawford and Emery, as the Sens sit second in goals allowed with 92, just one behind the Hawks. Anderson is sure to be the starter in the playoffs and the Sens will go as far as he can take them. Lehner, however, is the future in Ottawa, which should make many Sens fans very happy.

So, who did I miss? Who do you think is the best goalie tandem currently in the NHL? I would love to hear your comments, and please share if you like the content here at WAAP. Sticking with our goalie theme, your nightly gif is brought to you by Martin Brodeur, making one of the most amazing and unorthodox saves you will ever see:

1 comment:

  1. Anderson/Lehner. For one big reason (not only leading all the stats categories): The pressure that was put on both of them was quite enormous. Anderson first having to deal with the big guns in front of him getting injured, then when he's out himself, Lehner does the job just as fine as him after only having backed up the by far outstanding goalie in the league. That's the main reason why the Sens will reach the playoffs, the stories for the other teams (especially Hawks) can't be searched only in goaltending seeing they're second in the NHL in goals for per game, whereas Ottawa sits in 26th.

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