NHL 2010-11: Top 10 Goaltenders

With fantasy season starting up again, many hockey-fans are finding themselves asking the question, "Who's the best goalie in the league?" This is why I'm here. I will attempt to make this as unbiased as possible, but no promises. 

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10: Niklas Backstrom -- Minnesota Wild

John Grieshop/Getty Images

COLUMBUS,OH - SEPTEMBER 28: Niklas Backstrom #32 of the Minnesota Wild makes the save during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 28, 2010 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)

Last season Backstrom started 58 games for 26 wins and 23 losses. He gave up 158 goals for a save percentage of .903 during last season (keep in mind that he also didn't have the reassurance of 40+ scorer Marian Gaborik). Backstrom is a decent starter this season but a fantastic sleeper.

9: Miikka Kiprusoff -- Calgary Flames

Mike Ridewood/Getty Images

CALGARY, AB -APRIL 6: Miikka Kiprusoff #34 of the Calgary Flames stretches as he is introduced before playing the San Jose Sharks in the NHL game on April 6, 2010 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. (Photo by Mike Ridewood/Getty Images)

Last season Kiprusoff started 72 (yes, 72) games and equated for 35 wins and 28 loses. Keep in mind that 10 of his 28 loses were in overtime, meaning that in terms of statistics, if the game does not go into overtime, Miikka will win. He is a prime starter for any fantasy team and a goalie that is just all around exciting to watch.

8: Ilya Bryzgalov -- Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Coyotes in action during the preseason NHL game against the Los Angeles Kings at Jobing.com Arena on September 23, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Kings 2-1 in

Yeah I know what you're thinking: the Phoenix Coyotes are absolutely horrible. Fortunately, they have a stellar All-Star in net to back them up at the start of this season. Ilya started 69 games last season for a 42 and 20 record, quite a triumph especially after coming off of a 26 and 31 season in 2008-2009.

7: Tuukka Rask -- Boston Bruins

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MONTREAL- SEPTEMBER 22: Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins stops the puck during an NHL pre-season game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on September 22, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Canadiens 4-2. (Photo

Tuukka Rask is sure to make some headlines this year especially with the return of Marc Savard quickly approaching. In the 2009-2010 season, Rask started 39 games for for a total of 22 wins and 12 losses, not bad considering he only started in four games in the two previous seasons. Boston was only able to get a preview of this young star before the season ended last year, but now that the new season is underway, the Bruins are surely going to take advantage of him.

6: Marc-Andre Fleury -- Pittsburgh Penguins

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 07: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins trips up Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers at the Consol Energy Center on October 7, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Don't let his 0-3 start to the 2010 season fool you about Marc-Andre Fleury's skill in the crease. He is an excellent starter for any team and should be watched religiously throughout the entire season. Last year he started 66 games for 37 wins and 21 losses and gave up 168 goals for a .905 save percentage.

5: Craig Anderson -- Colorado Avalanche

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 11: Goalie Craig Anderson #41 of the Colorado Avalanche makes a save against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period of a hockey game at the Wells Fargo Center on October 11, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul

It can't be easy following in the footsteps of the greatest goalie to ever live (Patrick Roy obviously) but Anderson seems to be doing quite well. Last season he started 71 games for 38 wins and 25 losses, not bad considering the previous year he only started in 27 games. Look out for him this year especially because the Avalanche now have a young team that can only improve. 

4: Jimmy Howard -- Detroit Red Wings

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

DETROIT - OCTOBER 8: Jimmy Howard #35 of the Detroit Red Wings makes a save against the Anaheim Ducks during their NHL game at Joe Louis Arena on October 8, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

This man is an animal. Last season (his fourth year and the first three years he only started in a total of 7 games) he started 61 games and went 37-15 while giving up only 141 goals for a 2.26 goals against average. Keep an eye on this goalie because we are sure to see him sporting a playoff beard this spring.

3: Martin Brodeur -- New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils looks back after allowing a goal to Alex Goligoski #3 of the Pittsburg Penguins (not pictured) the first period at the Prudential Center on October 11, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. The Pe

As much as I hate to say it, Martin Brodeur is a good goalie. But be weary, I'm pretty sure this is his last season as an All-Star goalie. Regardless, I don't think I even need to go over his stats last season because we all know they were pretty good.

2: Henrik Lundqvist -- New York Rangers

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - OCTOBER 09: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on October 9, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. New York won 6-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Remember when he used to ride bench for Kevin Weekes? Yeah, me neither. Henrik Lundqvist is currently one of the best goalies in the NHL, and the best part is that he's only 28 years old. Oh yeah, and he's a master at shootouts. Regardless, last season Henrik started 72 games for 35 wins and only 27 losses. He is the only goaltender in NHL history to have 40+ wins in his first 4 seasons. Keep in mind that the NYR now have Biron as a back-up, giving Henrik some time to recuperate after long stretches of games, something he didn't have last year.

1: Ryan Miller -- Buffalo Sabres

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BUFFALO, NY - OCTOBER 11: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a glove save against the Chicago Blackhawks at HSBC Arena on October 11, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Last season Miller started 68 games for a total 41 wins and 18 losses (and no, you aren't going blind, that actually says 18). Simply put, he is amazing. He's reliable and consistent to the fullest potential and he is a definite keep in any fantasy league. Keep your eyes peeled for this guy because he is definitely going to bring the Sabres into the postseason.