Goaltending is crucial to any team that wants a shot at winning the Stanley Cup. Two of the past three Conn Smythe Trophy winners have been goalies who clearly led their respective teams to glory. Which goalie will come through and take over the playoffs for his team this year? Here are the five most likely to do so.
Henrik Lundqvist - New York Rangers
The King has not been as great this season, but he is still clearly one of the top keepers in the NHL. Lundqvist has a pretty solid Rangers team in front of him, but his ability to become a brick wall could help New York steal some huge games in the playoffs.
Head Coach Alain Vigneault may not utilize the same shot-blocking defense that former coach John Tortorella used with the Rangers and the defense may be a little weaker for doing so, but Lundqvist will be good enough to make the Rangers a serious contender if the offense can score enough.
Antti Niemi - San Jose Sharks
As a rookie in 2010, Niemi backstopped the Chicago Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup victory since 1961. Niemi has established himself as an elite goaltender in his time with the Sharks and could be a very dangerous weapon for one of the NHL's best teams this postseason.
Instead of choking in the playoffs as many Bay Area hockey fans are accustomed to, the sixth-seeded Sharks pulled off quite a remarkable playoff run last year. They swept the favored Vancouver Canucks in the first round and took the defending champion Los Angeles Kings to seven games before being knocked out in the second round.
If Niemi can have a good postseason, which he definitely should, this may indeed be the year that San Jose finally takes that extra step.
Carey Price - Montreal Canadiens
I may have doubted Carey Price before, but he is having a terrific year. He boasts a .925 save percentage, good enough for fifth in the NHL.
Price may have a tough task in the first round as his Canadiens will likely face a very tough offensive team in the Tampa Bay Lightning (not to mention that Ben Bishop is no slouch in net for the Bolts either). He will certainly be key to the Habs advancing past Stamkos & Co.
Montreal wants to avoid an embarrassment like last year's series with the Ottawa Senators, and Price will need to perform like he has all season in net. If he does, though, Montreal could be a serious threat to take home the Cup.
Jonathan Quick - Los Angeles Kings
Who does everyone hate to face in the playoffs? The guy that excels under pressure. That guy is Jonathan Quick.
Quick led the Kings on an incredible run to win the Stanley Cup in 2012 and another impressive trip to the Conference Final in 2013. To get to the Conference Final again this season, Quick will likely have to battle his way through the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks; two very tough challenges.
Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Quick is the man that can take down the other two California powerhouses and lead his Kings to Stanley Cup glory.
Tuukka Rask - Boston Bruins
The Bruins have to be considered the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, and plenty of that is thanks to Rask, who may very well be the best goalie in the world.
Rask led his team to the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 before losing to the Chicago Blackhawks, but he had a very stellar playoff performance. This season has been his best yet and he is looking to help his Bruins win another Stanley Cup. He has his name on the coveted trophy after the 2011 championship, but that came when he was backing up Tim Thomas. Rask wants one for himself.