Ranking The Atlantic Division Goalie Tandems

As part of our season preview, we will be ranking certain aspects of the teams within the division.  There is no better place to begin than with the last line of defense, the Goaltenders.  While each set of rankings over the coming days will have a unique point of view or slant, I am choosing to rank the goalies in the division 8 through 1 by tandems.

May 17, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner (40) talks to goalie Craig Anderson (41) during a time-out against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Having an great #1 is one thing, but being able to trust the backup to go out and give you 15-20 starts or take over in case of injury is almost as important.

8.  Florida Panthers (Jacob Markstrom & Scott Clemmensen)

Apr 16, 2013; Uniondale, NY, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Jacob Markstrom (35) makes a save against the New York Islanders during the first period of an NHL game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

After playing 3 full seasons in North America, it is time for Markstrom to move from highly touted prospect to full time goalie.  His numbers have not been overwhelming in the NHL so far, and now the job seems to be his by default.  Clemmensen is a career backup.  The only advantage they have is they combine for only $2.4M in cap space.  Sometimes you get what you pay for.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning (Ben Bishop & Anders Lindback)

Apr 24, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) prepares for a shot by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

If size mattered, they would be #1 by a long shot, but GM Steve Yzerman has taken a chance on potential in consecutive years.  Lindback didn’t live up to expectations last season, and Bishop’s numbers tailed off after joining the Lightning.  Maybe its the system they play, not giving the goalies a ton of help, but one of these two giants needs to sieze the opportunity and become a true #1.

6.  Buffalo Sabres (Ryan Miller & Jhonas Enroth)

Apr 26, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) during the game against the New York Islanders at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Islanders 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

My how the mighty have fallen, as three seasons ago Miller was among the elite in the NHL. Now he is clinging to his job as the starter over Enroth, who has just not done enough to take it. Miller is in the last year of his contract and you have to think he is counting down the days to July 1st, and perhaps a change of scenery, if he isn’t traded before then.

5.  Detroit Red Wings (Jimmy Howard & Jonas Gustavsson)

May 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) covers the puck in front of Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) during the first period in game seven of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Howard is a very capable number 1, but the drop off to Gustavsson drags the team down.  He just hasn’t adapted to the North American style and at this point has to be considered a flop.  Bringing up Petr Mrazek as the full time backup would put them higher in this ranking.  In fact, if something were to happen to Howard this season, I would see Mrazek taking over before Gustavsson.

4.  Montreal Canadiens (Carey Price & Peter Budaj)

May 7, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) skates to the bench hunched over in discomfort in the third period in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place. The Senators defeated the Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Again, based on the strength of the understudy, the Habs are middle of the pack.  Price has had his ups and downs, and when he is on top of his game there aren’t many better in the league, let alone the division.  Budaj is capable spot starting, but if Price were to go down the Habs would be in trouble.

3.  Boston Bruins (Tuukka Rask & Chad Johnson)

Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period in game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Giving Rask his big money contract meant there wasn’t room for Anton Khudobin, who made the Bruins one of the best tandems in the league.  Rask is elite, one of the top 3 goalies in the division, but the drop-off is dramatic and like Montreal, there will be trouble if the number 1 goes down.  Johnson simply doesn’t have enough NHL time (10 career games) to know what you really have in him.

1.  Ottawa Senators (Craig Anderson & Robin Lehner)

May 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) reacts after surrendering a goal to Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal (not pictured) during the second period in game five of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The numbers speak for themselves. Anderson had the best GAA in the league and Lehner was 13th among goalies who played 10 or more games last season.  In terms of save percentage, they were 1-2 among goalies with 10 or more appearances.  Lehner is chomping at the bit to get more playing time and the internal competition will keep both goalies sharp.  There is very little to differentiate between #1 and #2, and this makes them the best tandem in the Atlantic Division.