NHL Playoffs 2012: Comparing the Length of the Leash on Each Starting Goaltender

As the playoffs have started, the performance of each team's starting goaltender will hugely impact the overall result.  

Some coaches will hand over the starting position at the first glimpse of a struggle, while others will remain loyal to their No. 1 until playoff's end.  

The following is a ranking of the length of each starting goalie's leash, beginning with the longest.  

16. Henrik Lundqvist

While the New York Rangers' odds of making the playoffs this season were high, I don't think anyone was predicting them to have quite the season that they did.  

Henrik Lundqvist is the reason the Rangers are where they are, and he will get a Vezina nomination because of it.  

He is one of the best goaltenders in the game, and will be rewarded with unconditional loyalty from John Tortorella.  

15. Pekka Rinne

Pekka Rinne could be the best goalie to build a team around. He's young, talented and continually posts numbers with the league's elite.  

If backup goaltender Anders Lindback's mediocre regular-season performance wasn't enough to seal the deal for Rinne, he did it himself with a 35-save performance on Wednesday.  

If captain Shea Weber receives a suspension for his hit in Game 1 (which he should), the team will rely even more heavily on its No. 1 goalie.  

14. Marc-Andre Fleury

Pittsburgh Penguins backup goaltender Brent Johnson performed poorly this season.  

Combine that with Marc-Andre Fleury's solid numbers and his Stanley Cup playoff experience, and the result is a pretty long leash.  

13. Tim Thomas

Tim Thomas was the difference-maker in the playoffs last season. His incredible performance earned him a great deal of loyalty this year.  

With Tuukka Rask currently out with a groin injury, Thomas' position becomes even more solidified.  

If Rask can return to 100 percent and Thomas is struggling, don't be surprised if Claude Julien mixes it up.  

12. Jimmy Howard

Jimmy Howard was leading the league in wins and on pace for an incredible season before he first became injured.  

The Wings' inability to win without him is what makes Howard essentially untouchable throughout the playoffs.  

11. Mike Smith

Something doesn't feel right about having Mike Smith this far down the list. 

In my opinion, his performance should absolutely earn him a Vezina consideration.  

The Phoenix Coyotes simply would not be where they are today if it weren't for the heroic play of Mike Smith to end the season.  

But the reality is that the playoffs present a completely different game—a game which Smith doesn't possess the experience to earn him that untouchable status.  

10. Jonathan Quick

Jonathan Quick was one of, if not, the best goaltender in the NHL this season.  

If it weren't for the talent of Jonathan Bernier, Quick would surely have been mentioned earlier in this list. But then again, whom would I move down?

9. Martin Brodeur

Although Martin Brodeur played far more games than Johan Hedberg, Hedberg's numbers were slightly advantageous.  

No matter what the regular-season discrepancy is, Martin Brodeur's career and legacy make him the definite No. 1.  

8. Craig Anderson

While Craig Anderson is the undisputed the No. 1 goaltender on the team, he is not credited as one of the players who led this team to the postseason. That honor is in the hands of Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson.  

With Ben Bishop's mediocre numbers in goal, the Senators will likely give Anderson more than one opportunity to redeem himself if he faults, but they aren't entirely against putting Bishop in the spotlight.  

7. Braden Holtby

Braden Holtby isn't in this spot on the list because of his regular-season numbers. Or the amount of wins he has. Or his experience in the playoffs. 

He's here because of the team's lack of options, with Tomas Vokoun likely out for the playoffs and Michal Neuvirth still recovering from a leg injury. 

That being said, Holtby is by far the least experienced of the three. If Neuvirth does return, Holtby could get the yank.  

6. Antti Niemi

After the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, it was apparent that they didn't think Niemi was the difference-maker as they parted ways.  

While his experience does earn him the No. 1 position, Antti Niemi did not make the San Jose Sharks' playoff appearance come easy.  

Against a lethal St. Louis Blues, Todd McLellan won't hesitate to replace Niemi if he can't get it done.  

5. Corey Crawford

The young Corey Crawford has great potential, but after this season it appears it's further away than thought.  

Crawford barely managed to maintain the No. 1 position this season, and in a series where he likely won't be the best goaltender, Ray Emery could get the nod at the first sign of error.  

4. Ilya Bryzgalov

After the up-and-down season Ilya Bryzgalov has had, it's become apparent that he may not be able to handle the pressure of being in a true hockey city.  

In Game 1 we saw how much fans tried to get under his skin. He managed to hold his own, but if that isn't the case in following games, he will be watching from the bench.  

3. Jose Theodore

Jose Theodore is this far down on the list not because of poor regular-season numbers, but because he may not even be the starter.  

A backup with numbers as good as Scott Clemmensen is bound to put pressure on Theodore. One fault, and he's out.  

2. Roberto Luongo

Roberto Luongo's recurring inconsistencies in the playoffs have slowly tightened the leash. 

The fact that Cory Schneider has been one of the best goaltenders in the league two years in a row doesn't help his case either.  

Luongo's performance this postseason could not only impact his starting role for the playoffs, but for his future as a Canuck as well.  

1. Jaroslav Halak

The St. Louis Blues had the best goaltending tandem in the NHL this year. In fact, the only reason he is getting the nod to start is because of his heroic playoff run for the Montreal Canadiens two years ago.  

Brian Elliott is currently injured, but just listed as day to day. 

As arguably the best goaltender in the league this season, Elliott won't need much of a fault from Halak to take the reins once he's healthy.