In a team sport the performance of a single player cannot usually influence the outcome of a game. There are certainly athletes that transcend their given sport, but in the world of hockey no player controls destiny as much as the goaltender.

Whether the net minder has a hot glove hand or a blocker pad made of room temperature Swiss cheese, the man behind the mask can lift or destroy a team’s chance of winning. This season has seen some goaltenders perform at the level we have come to expect, and some that have exceeded expectations (Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay, Steve Mason, Philadelphia, to name a few).

This article is about goaltenders that have not been pulling their weight. Many of these net minders play on very, very good teams, but have been a liability so far in the young season. There certainly is reason to believe that this talented group won’t get their act together, but if they don’t play up to their potential they could be out of the playoffs early if they even make the postseason.

Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators, 6-8-2, 3.51 GAA, .894 save %

Anderson and Ottawa have been awful so far this season. There simply isn’t a nice way to put it but one must wonder if Anderson’s 2013 season was the exception or the norm. Anderson’s career numbers tell us that he might not be as good as the abbreviated sample from last year might be. That could be really bad news for the Senators, particularly Anderson, who has an elite backup (Robin Lehner) waiting for his chance.

Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes, 12-6-4, 3.07 GAA, .910 save %

For the past few seasons the Coyotes have leaned heavily on their goaltender Smith. With all the turmoil surrounding the franchise, it seemed like the one constant was brilliant and consistent goaltending. Ironically now that the Coyotes have achieved financial stability, they are successful in spite of their net minder’s mediocre play.

Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets, 9-11-2, 2.87 GAA, .906 save %

Last season’s Vezina Trophy winner has been a colossal disappointment along with the entire season for the Blue Jackets. Of course the woes of the entire Columbus season can’t be laid at the feet of their brash young Russian goaltender. The Jackets will be good in a season or two with the young talent on their squad, but this isn’t their year even if Bobrovsky pulls a 180 and plays like last season’s edition.

Jonas Hiller, Anaheim Ducks, 9-4-3, 2.70 GAA, .905 save %

It’s hard to find anything disappointing in the Anaheim Ducks’ season so far, but if we look at their incumbent starter, there could be cause for concern. Hiller has always been an above average goaltender, but this year he looks much more average than usual. The best Anaheim net minder this year has been rookie Frederik Andersen, but the Ducks will need Hiller to perform if they want to make a legitimate playoff run.

Ondrej Pavelec, Winnipeg Jets, 9-10-3, 2.69 GAA, .916 save %

A quick glance at the Winnipeg goaltender will tell you that he bears the burden of a team that supports him about 50% of the time. Ironically the 26-year old Czech goalkeeper is having his best statistical season. Sadly, all of those seasons have come with the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise. It would be interesting to see how Pavelec would look on a team that actually scored and played a little defense. If Winnipeg has designs on a playoff berth, they will actually need more from Pavelec the rest of the way. See Sergei Bobrovsky from 2013 season.

Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings, 6-7-6, 2.57 GAA, .913 save %

As the goaltender of the Red Wings Jimmy Howard has been everything that Detroit could have wanted as the successor to Chris Osgood. A quick glance at Howard’s stats through four full seasons would project the young American keeper to have hall of fame numbers by the end of his career. The only thing missing on his resume thus far is a successful playoff run.

This season Howard has been anything but sensational and his play has been overshadowed by backup Jonas Gustavsson. There probably won’t be a goaltending controversy in Hockeytown, but coach Mike Babcock will need to see better play from Howard if the Red Wings want to make any noise in the Eastern Conference.