Vancouver Canucks: Why Two No. 1 Goaltenders Never Works

The Vancouver Canucks are rapidly closing in on a future controversy that many NHL teams face. It's a controversy which, much like the quarterback controversy faced in football, can be very dangerous for the overall chemistry and success of a team.

The Canucks currently have superstar goaltender Roberto Luongo locked up to a long-term deal, and he seems to be their starter—although they have played backup and number-one ready Cory Schneider once in almost every three games.

There are multiple reasons as to why this system does not work.

For one, the competition is fine and healthy until the games start to matter. Let the goalies compete against one another and finish with a defined starting goaltender. Don't continue the process until it is too late, and the play of each goalie is too inconsistent for a starter to be chosen.

The Canucks are at risk of this happening.

No one can argue that Cory Schneider does not deserve to start on any other team in the NHL. Unfortunately for him, the Canucks and Roberto Luongo are linked by this lucrative long-term contract, and so long as that exists, Luongo will always be the supposed starter for the Canucks.

If Vigneault continues to play Schneider as often as he does, however, then a decision will need to be made.

Another issue with having two number-one goaltenders is the lack of momentum a goalie builds up.

If a goaltender's play is continually interrupted, he have no way to create momentum. He could win three consecutive games or even go just 2-1, and then have the backup come in and win a game, and then return to play the next game.

A goaltender needs several consecutive appearances to create momentum, and can help the team to win more games than lose. 

The final issue surrounding having two number-one goalies on your team is when it comes down to a big-game situation.

Who do you start in the playoffs, or down the stretch to the playoffs? When games really start to count, the two-goalie system never works. It tends to end with the goalie in net struggling with overall confidence because there has never been any real support put behind him until that point in time. 

The success rate of winning a Stanley Cup with a two-goalie system is slim to none. A team can have success throughout the regular season, but once the playoffs begin, it won't last long. The eventual starter is always picked in the playoffs, but due to lack of play and confidence, the system does not work.

If a team has two number-one goalies, they must make a trade—it will work out better for both teams involved.

John Bain is a Featured Columnist on Bleacher Report.

Follow him on Twitter: @John_Bain