2014 Olympic Men’s Hockey Preview: The Goaltending

4. United States

Jan 27, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) looks into the crowd after the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center. Penguins beat the Sabres 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Probable Starter:  Ryan Miller, BUF

Backups: Jonathan Quick, LAK; Jimmy Howard, DET

Most would have thought of the goaltending of the Americans as one of their bigger strengths.  However, incumbent Miller hasn’t had a quality team in front of him for a couple of years and his numbers reflect that.  Jonathan Quick has won just once in his last 9 starts and is colder than ice. Jimmy Howard has had his season interrupted by injury after injury this season and hasn’t been able to get any consistency going.  Miller would be my odds on favorite to get the starting nod to see what he can do behind a team that isn’t the Sabres.