2014 Olympic Men’s Hockey Preview: The Goaltending

When trying to compare a bunch of superstar teams, it is often impossible to get an overall picture without looking at each of the parts.  So, for that reason I will be looking at each of the aspects of the teams and try to see who has the edge and who is going to need exceptional performances to compete at that level and succeed.  For this exercise I will be looking at what I consider the 8 teams who have any medal hope whatsoever – Canada, United States, Russia, Sweden, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Finland and Switzerland.  Slovenia, Latvia, Norway and Austria are also in the tournament but would I would be shocked if any of them made it to the quarterfinals.

Feb 2, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save against Winnipeg Jets during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Goaltending is one of the most important aspects of building a great team for this tournament, but sometimes depth can be overrated because once a starter is selected, if a team has to turn to the backup then they are already behind the 8-ball.  Therefore a priority will be placed on the top end talent and the starters rather than how deep a team is.

8.  Czech Republic

Jan 31, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec (31) makes a save during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Probable Starter: Ondrej Pavelec, WPG

Backups:  Jakub Kovar, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (KHL); Alexander Salak, St. Petersberg SKA (KHL)

Pavelec looks to be the undisputed starter, having represented the Czech Republic 5 times in the past, including 3 World Championships.  However, Kovar and Salak both have a sub 2.00 GAA in the KHL.  They are good netminders, but in this elite class they trail the group.  The will be missing the experience of Tomas Vokoun who has been sidelined all season with a blood clot.

7.  Slovakia

Jan 25, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; St Louis Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) makes a glove save during the third period against the New York Islanders at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. St Louis Blues won 4-3 in shootout. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Probable Starter:  Jaroslav Halak, STL

Backups:  Peter Budaj, MTL; Jan Laco, Donbass  HC (KHL)

Halak will go in as the number one and should be in the net for all important games Slovakia plays.  Budaj is a quality goaltender who can step in to relieve in some of the less high-pressure game. Both have Olympic experience under their belts, with Budaj playing 3 games in 2006 and backing up Halak in 2010.

6. Switzerland

February 1, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) defends the goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Probable Starter:  Jonas Hiller, ANH

Backups:  Reto Berra, CGY, Tobias Stephan, Genève-Servette HC (SWI)
Hiller has the ability to steal a big game at any time, perhaps more so than Martin Gerber, who turned the trick on Canada in an upset in 2006.  Hiller played every minute for the Swiss in 2010, and his numbers  had him ranked 6th, despite not playing behind a roster up to par with many of the teams he faced.

5.  Canada

Jan 26, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Phoenix Coyotes forward Shane Doan (19) scores against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo (1) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Probable Starter:  Carey Price, MTL or Roberto Luongo, VAN

Third Goalie:  Mike Smith, PHX

Luongo doesn’t get enough credit for the job he did in Vancouver in an extremely high pressure situation.  He has gone through some peaks and valleys in the four years since.  Price has been probably the most consistent, but Luongo has the better upside.  Luongo will probably get the nod as the first option, but the #1 probably won’t be decided until the preliminary round is over. Unlike many of the other teams in the tournament, the goal of the goalie for Canada will not be to win the gold medal, but to not do anything to have his team lose it.

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.

3.  Sweden

Jan 31, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) prepares to make a save against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Probable Starter:  Henrik Lundqvist, NYR

Backups:  Jonas Gustavsson, DET; Jhonas Enroth, BUF

Lundqvist will have the bulk of the work, and he led the 2010 Olympics with 2 shutouts in 3 games.  He won the gold for the Swedes in 2006, and after a slow start to the season he is red-hot  in January.  Gustavsson has Olympic experience, although he left the Red Wings’ game on Monday night with “dizziness”.  If he can’t go, Ottawa Senators’ goalie Robin Lehner could be added.