2011 NHL Playoffs: Power Ranking the Stanley Cup Playoff Goalies

The 2011 NHL Stanley Cups Playoffs are finally upon us. Teams have battled through the regular season in hopes of being able to compete for hockey's most vaunted award.

There is an old adage. It goes as such: Goaltending wins in the playoffs.

Most of this year's starting playoff goaltenders have been phenomenal for their teams in the 2010-2011 regular season.

I have ranked each of them based on their play this year and their play in previous postseasons.

Have a look at the men behind the masks that will attempt to backstop their way to a Stanley Cup victory.

16. Sergei Bobrovsky, Philadelphia Flyers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: Sergei Bobrovsky #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers in action against the Atlanta Thrashers on March 12, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Regular Season: (28-13-8, .915 SV%, 2.59 GAA, 0 SO)

Career Playoffs: (No experience)

After an impressive start to the regular season, Philadelphia Flyers' rookie Sergei Bobrovsky has been disappointing as of late.

Bobrovsky has not won a game since Mar. 29. It is a very inopportune time to get cold and one must think that with Brian Boucher waiting in the wings, the rookie will be on a pretty short leash in the playoffs.

15. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 29: Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks takes a break during a stop in play against the Boston Bruins on March 29, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0. (Photo

2010-2011 Regular Season: (33-18-6, .917 SV%, 2.30 GAA, 4 SO)

Career Playoffs: (In relief: .857 SV%, 3.75 GAA)

Corey Crawford has done a fine job in backstopping the Chicago Blackhawks this season. The rookie has shouldered the load for the majority of the year and has come up big when he's needed to...except in the final game of the regular season.

The Hawks had a win-and-you're-in situation to get into the playoffs. They lost, but fortunately, they qualified through a Dallas Stars loss.

It was a very big game and Crawford and the entire Blackhawks team did not capitalize.

Now they are set to meet the President's Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks.

With big games against the best team in the league, can the rookie do enough to help his team advance?

14. Michal Neuvirth, Washington Capitals

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 18: Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Washington Capitals shoots the puck away from Nick Palmieri #32 of the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 18, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Regular Season: (27-12-4, .914 SV%, 2.45 GAA, 4 SO)

Career Playoffs: (No experience)

Washington Capitals rookie goaltender Michal Neuvirth has been solid this season. He has provided the Caps with a chance to win with almost every start.

His inexperience can be a factor this postseason as he has never appeared in the playoffs.

The Capitals have to play a good hybrid system in front of the kid if they hope to succeed; they cannot rely on Neuvirth to win games for them on his own.

13. Dwayne Roloson, Tampa Bay Lightning

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 02: Goalie Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning takes a drink during a timeout in an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Gett

2010-2011 Regular Season: (24-25-5, .914 SV%, 2.59 GAA, 4 SO)

Career Playoffs: (18-12, .915 SV%, 2.56 GAA, 1 SO)

The Tampa Bay Lightning did a good job in trading for Dwayne Roloson, solidifying their goaltending situation and giving them a legitimate No.1.

The last time that Dwayne Roloson was in the postseason, he led the Edmonton Oilers all the way to the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. Unfortunately, Roloson went down to a knee injury in Game 1 and wasn't able to finish what he began.

Roloson is 41 years old. It remains to be seen if the older goalie will be able to handle the demand of starting most games in the regular season and the intensity of the NHL playoffs without burning out.

I, for one, am pessimistic.

12. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 05: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks attempts a shot in front of Jonathan Quick #32, Matt Greene #2 and Alec Martinez #53 of the Los Angeles Kings for during the first period at the Staples Center on March 5, 2011 in Los A

2010-2011 Regular Season: (35-22-3, .918 SV%, 2.24 GAA, 6 SO)

Career Playoffs: (2-4, .884 SV%, 3.50 GAA, 0 SO)

Although Jonathan Quick had the luxury of a good backup goaltender in Jonathan Bernier this season, giving him some much needed rest and thus improving his numbers, his postseason record leaves a lot to be desired.

With Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams out for the playoffs, Quick will have to bring his A-game.

It may be a difficult few nights for the young goalie: The San Jose Sharks are hungry.

11. Jonas Hiller, Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Ray Emery #29 of the Anaheim Ducks warms up prior to the start of the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Honda Center on February 27, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Regular Season: (26-16-3, .924 SV%, 2.56 GAA, 5 SO)

Career Playoffs: (7-6, .943 SV%, 2.23 GAA, 2 SO)

Although Dan Ellis will, in all probability, start Game 1, let's assume, for argument's sake, that Jonas Hiller will return as the Anaheim Ducks' starting goaltender for the remainder of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. If he is not quite ready, he should be once Game 2 rolls around.

Before Hiller was sidelined by vertigo, he was putting up some of the best numbers in the league. Had he been able to play the full season at the same rate, he would have surely been in the Vezina Trophy discussion.

Unfortunately, that was not the case.

Now the Ducks are going to put their faith in Hiller and hope that he shakes off his rust quickly if he has any.

It could prove to be risky business.

10. Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings

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ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 12: Jimmy Howard #35 of the Detroit Red Wings makes a save against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on March 12, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Regular Season: (37-17-5, .908 SV%, 2.79 GAA, 2 SO)

Career Playoffs: (5-7, .915 SV%, 2.75 GAA, 1 SO)

Jimmy Howard was a solid starting goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings. He was rewarded by being given a two-year, $4.5 million contract extension.

The Wings pride themselves on being a well-rounded team.

If his team does it's job in front of him, Howard won't have to be a playoff hero.

Howard, his team and its fans will all prefer that he goes unsung in the postseason, much like his predecessor, Chris Osgood, did before him.

9. Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 01: Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Coyotes is introduced before the NHL game against the Colorado Avalanche at Jobing.com Arena on April 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Avalanche defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in an overti

2010-2011 Regular Season: (36-20-10, .921 SV%, 2.48 GAA, 7 SO)

Career Playoffs: (12-9, .925 SV%, 2.23 GAA, 3 SO)

Coming off another strong year as the Phoenix Coyotes' starting goaltender, Ilya Bryzgalov heads into the playoffs matched up against the Detroit Red Wings for the second straight year.

Last postseason, with a decent showing from Bryzgalov, the Coyotes lost in seven games.

Bryzgalov has the motivation of revenge (and impending free agency this offseason) to reverse the trend.

It should be noted that Bryzgalov's name is on the Stanley Cup after the Ducks won it in 2007: He did a great job in filling in for then-starter Jean-Sebastien Giguere in the first-round of the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

8. Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 31: Goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators warms up prior to facing the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on March 31, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Rinne had 27 saves as the Nashville Predators defeated the Colorado Avalan

2010-2011 Regular Season: (33-22-9, .930 SV%, 2.12 GAA, 6 SO)

Career Playoffs: (2-4, .911 SV%, 2.68 GAA, 0 SO)

Pekka Rinne has put together a Vezina Trophy campaign this season. The giant Finn is one of the only reasons that the Nashville Predators finished the regular season ranked fifth.

If the Predators end up defeating the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the postseason, Rinne will be the key.

7. Antti Niemi, San Jose Sharks

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DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Goaltender Antii Niemi #31 of the San Jose Sharks in goal against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Regular Season: (35-18-6, .920 SV%, 2.38 GAA, 6 SO)

Career Playoffs: (16-6, .910 SV%, 2.63 GAA, 2 SO)

Antti Niemi has surprised me this season. Shouldering a 60-start workload, Niemi has been great for the San Jose Sharks.

When he backstopped the Chicago Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup victory last season, I felt that he only played a secondary role. Obviously, the Hawks' management did as well; they let him walk after heading to arbitration.

Niemi has proved his worth as a Shark and has an edge over most other goalies in this conversation: He has hoisted the Cup.

6. Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 15: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save on a breakaway by Erik Cole #26 of the Carolina Hurricanes at HSBC Arena on March 15, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. Carolina won 1-0. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Regular Season: (34-22-8, .916 SV%, 2.59 GAA, 5 SO)

Career Playoffs: (22-18, .917 SV%, 2.39 GAA, 1 SO)

Ryan Miller did not have his best season as the Buffalo Sabres' starting goaltender, but he was still better than most NHL goalies.

Miller will attempt to lead the Sabres past the second round of the playoffs for the first time in his career. He has twice won two series in the postseason, but could not get past the Eastern Conference Finals.

Obviously, the Philadelphia Flyers will provide a huge challenge in getting through the first round of the playoffs.

5. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes the third period save against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on April 4, 2011 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Bruins 5-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Ima

2010-2011 Regular Season: (36-27-5, .923 SV%, 2.28 GAA, 11 SO)

Career Playoffs: (14-16, .907 SV%, 2.66 GAA, 3 SO)

Henrik Lundqvist is probably the only reason the New York Rangers are in the postseason. He led the league with 11 shutouts and started a career-high 27 consecutive games to end the season.

King Henrik has two playoff series wins under his belt, although when the Rangers and Lundqvist played the Washington Capitals in the postseason in 2009, the Blueshirts squandered a 3-1 series lead and fell to the Caps in seven games.

Lundqvist will surely look to seek some revenge.

4. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

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PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 12: Goaltender Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens defends the net against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 12, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Regular Season: (38-28-6, .923 SV%, 2.35 GAA, 8 SO)

Career Playoffs: (5-11, .894 SV%, 3.17 GAA, 2 SO)

Carey Price has carried the Montreal Canadiens all season long. He is, by far, the team's most valuable player. He is tied for the league lead in wins this season and has posted the best numbers of his career.

But can Price show up Jaroslav Halak's performance from the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs?

The last time Price started in the playoffs, the Canadiens were swept by the Boston Bruins in 2009. It was not likely a time the young goalie would like to dwell on.

The memories of the Habs' defeat of the Bruins in the 2008 postseason, Price's only series win, are probably much fonder.

The upcoming series should be interesting.

3. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins

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PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 13: Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins guards the net against the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Regular Season: (36-20-5, .918 SV%, 2.32 GAA, 3 SO)

Career Playoffs: (38-24, .911 SV%, 2.52 GAA, 4 SO)

When Sidney Crosby went down to injury, not many people gave the Pittsburgh Penguins a fighting chance to make the playoffs.

Well, thanks to Marc-Andre Fleury, not only did they qualify, they nearly won the Atlantic Division.

After a slow start to the season, Fleury has been fantastic.

He is one of the only goalies in the postseason this year with a Staley Cup ring, after he led his team to the Finals in two consecutive seasons.

2. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 14: Goalie Roberto Luongo #1of the Vancouver Canucks looses sight of the puck as it flys by the net during the first period in NHL action against the Minnesota Wild on March 14, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia

2010-2011 Regular Season: (38-15-7, .928 SV%,  2.11 GAA, 4 SO)

Career Playoffs: (17-17, .919 SV%, 2.46 GAA, 1 SO)

Much has been said about Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks' inability to get past the second round of the playoffs and the bane of the team's existence, the Chicago Blackhawks.

Without a menacing power forward to take Luongo off his game (see Dustin Byfuglien), the Hawks have less of a chance to upset the league's best regular-season team.

Luongo has been great this season. His 38 wins are tied for the most in the NHL and his .928 save percentage is the second highest of his career.

Is this Luongo's year?

Maybe.

1. Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 24: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins looks on during a stop in play in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens on March 24, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Regular Season: (35-11-9, .938 SV%, 2.00 GAA, 9 SO)

Career Playoffs: (10-8, .926 SV%, 2.16 GAA, 1 SO)

Tim Thomas should be a lock for the Vezina Trophy, given to the NHL's best goaltender. I would be remiss to not rank Thomas as the top-rated goaltender in the playoffs, if not solely for his extraordinary performance this season.

This season, he broke the league record for save percentage and has rebounded as the Boston Bruins' starting goalie after losing the gig to Tuukka Rask last year.

The first obstacle for the Thomas and the Bruins is Montreal—a team which has given the netminder some trouble throughout his career.