Inside The NHL
10 Reasons to Worry
From novice netminders to frequent flops, many of the 16 likely
postseason teams have goaltending concerns
By some measures the Stars' Marty Turco became an elite
goaltender this season, his first as a starter. Through Sunday he
led the league in goals-against average (1.81) and save
percentage (.930), and, at 27, he already is one of the most
confident keepers in the game.
But when the regular season ends this Sunday, Turco will again be
a rookie. He has never played in an NHL postseason match, and as
Sharks coach Ron Wilson says, "A goalie should only be graded on
how well he does in the playoffs."
Just four of the 16 likely starting postseason netminders have
hoisted the Stanley Cup: the Maple Leafs' Ed Belfour, the Devils'
Martin Brodeur (twice), the Blues' Chris Osgood (twice) and the
Avalanche's Patrick Roy (four times). The Red Wings' Curtis
Joseph and the Capitals' Olaf Kolzig haven't won NHL
championships, but they are battle-tested veterans who have
carried teams deep into the playoffs.
That leaves 10 goaltenders who still have a lot to prove. Here's
how they break down.
--Novices: Turco; Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Mighty Ducks; Patrick
Lalime, Senators; Dwayne Roloson, Wild.
Like Turco, Giguere had a fantastic year (33-21-6, 2.30 through
Sunday) but has no postseason experience. Lalime, brilliant
during the regular season (he was tied for the league lead with
eight shutouts), had three blanks in five games in a first-round
win over the Flyers last year, but that's his only series victory
in three tries. Veteran backup Roloson's playoff resume begins
and ends with a rocky four-game stint as Dominik Hasek's 1999
fill-in with the Sabres.
COLOR PHOTO: LOU CAPOZZOLA ROMAN CECHMANEK, Flyers Playoff record: 3-7, 2.61
COLOR PHOTO: LOU CAPOZZOLA PATRICK LALIME, Senators Playoff record: 7-9, 1.63
COLOR PHOTO: D. MACMILLAN/B. BENNETT STUDIOS DAN CLOUTIER, Canucks Playoff record: 2-5, 3.85
COLOR PHOTO: DAVID E. KLUTHO DWAYNE ROLOSON, Wild Playoff record: 1-1, 4.32
COLOR PHOTO: J. MCISAAC/B. BENNETT STUDIOS J.S. GIGUERE, Ducks Playoff record: none
COLOR PHOTO: ROBERT BECK TOMMY SALO, Oilers Playoff record: 3-12, 2.40
COLOR PHOTO: STEVE BABINEAU/SPORTS ACTION JEFF HACKETT, Bruins Playoff record: 2-5, 4.32
COLOR PHOTO: LOU CAPOZZOLA GARTH SNOW, Islanders Playoff record: 8-4, 2.94
COLOR PHOTO: SCOTT AUDETTE/ICON SMI NIK KHABIBULIN, Lightning Playoff record: 10-13, 2.75
COLOR PHOTO: DARREN CARROLL MARTY TURCO, Stars Playoff record: none
