Sorting out the No. 1 goalie for 5 NHL playoff teams without one

So it’s somewhat fascinating that we’re a week out from the Stanley Cup Playoffs and at least five playoff-bound teams don’t have a legitimate No. 1 goalie (or at least haven’t had one until very recently). Teams have won with goalie tandems before, but uncertainty isn’t something you want as the postseason begins.

So let’s go through each of those squads and figure out which goalie gets leaned on the most and for how long.

Take a glance at their season stats and the difference is marginal at best. Their wins, save percentages and goals against averages are nearly identical. But the difference becomes apparent when you look at their output over the last couple of months.

October-December

Lehtonen: .911 SV%, 2.63 GAA
Niemi: .934 SV%, .226 GAA

January-March:

Lehtonen: .903 SV%, 2.93 GAA
Niemi: .786 SV%, 3.31 GAA

Note that I said nothing about whether that difference was encouraging. Both goalies have regressed. But Niemi’s fall has been harder, leaving Lindy Ruff no choice but to go with Lehtonen even though he hasn’t blown the competition away.

But the fact is he doesn’t have to. With the Stars scoring at a league-best 3.23 goals per game clip this year, Lehtonen just has to keep the doors from flying off. And since Feb. 25, he’s only allowed more than three goals in a game twice. That’s good enough.

So they’ll go with ...

Lehtonen. He’s been their best goalie in the second half by a half-mile.

How long is his leash?

Longer than you might expect. His playoff stats aren’t great but A) you try playing behind that awful 2014 Stars defensive commitment and B) faith in Niemi isn’t where it was in November.

The immediate answer to this question much more simple than it was a few weeks ago, when Michal Neuvirth wasn’t injured and Steve Mason wasn’t lighting the place on fire. But when Neuvirth did go down, Mason had a chance to claim the starting spot for himself.

And that’s exactly what he did. Oh, sure, he got help from a resurgent penalty kill and a group peaking at the right time. But his play down the stretch has been invaluable. In 12 games in March (his biggest workload of the year), Mason won eight of them and posted a robust 1.88 GAA and .933 SV%. And his often spectacular performance in a huge game on Wednesday closed the discussion. The job is his.

So they’ll go with ...

Mason. I literally just said that. Are you even reading what I write?

Not really.

Fine.

How long is his leash?

Fairly long now that he’s sustained this level of play for a few weeks. Neuvirth should be back for the playoffs, and if Dave Hakstol needs to go back to him I think he’d be comfortable with that. But Mason has earned a long look.

In this case, the best decision might be making no decision at all.

Both goalies have played superbly, especially in the second half once Anaheim broke out of its early-season swoon. Gibson’s 2.04 GAA and .921 SV% are slightly better than Andersen in four less games played, but not by much. Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau has been comfortable rotating the pair every two games or so, and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t. It’s worked splendidly.

So they’ll go with ...

Gibson seems to have the edge as the playoffs begin, only due to a recent Andersen injury.

How long is his leash?

Probably not long, considering he’s an NHL newcomer and the goalie rotation has worked wonders for the Ducks. If he falters, expect Boudreau to yank him for Andersen. After a couple of disappointing playoff finishes, the Ducks can only afford to ride the hot hand.

Allen had locked down this job before the All-Star break with a sparkling 2.17 GAA and a .924 SV%. Then injuries and slipping performances chipped away at him until he was giving up more starts to Elliott.

And now, a nagging injury is cursing Allen right before the playoffs get underway. This might not be a bad thing for the Blues. Since February, Elliott is 12-1-1 with a 1.74 GAA. Forget for the moment that his career .897 SV% in the playoffs is not that great and St. Louis can feel somewhat confident heading into the playoffs.

So they’ll go with ...

Elliott, probably.

How long is his leash?

So, so short. Ken Hitchcock is coaching for his job, so if he senses Elliott trending backwards I have little doubt he’ll pull the ripcord and throw Allen in there. I don’t think anyone (players, fans, coaches or management) with the Blues has room for patience after years of playoff disappointments.

A few months ago it appeared Howard’s reign as the Detroit starter had come to an end. Mrazek started 33 games before the All-Star break with 18 wins, a 2.03 GAA and one of the best save percentages in the league (.932).

The fall from grace for the entire team has been hard, and Mrazek has felt it the most. His play began to slip in February, and coach Jeff Blashill hit the eject button quickly and worked Howard in more often. Mrazek got pulled for Howard five times. Howard hasn’t been perfect, but he’s held the team afloat long enough to keep the playoffs within reach. Oh, and he just shutout the Flyers in the biggest game of the season on Wednesday.

So maybe this isn’t a question anymore.

Then why did you ask it?

I don’t know. Leave me alone.

You know they might not even make the playoffs, right?

I am aware, yes.

So then why di--

YOU HAVE ONE JOB.

Whatever. How long is his leash?

I don’t think Blashill or the team has forgotten what Mrazek did for the first half of the season. Nor should they. If Howard’s leash is long, it’s because he’s a veteran with benefit of the doubt. But if Mrazek relieves him and plays well, perhaps Blashill goes with his gut and makes a change. But Howard hasn’t given any reason to think he’ll suddenly regress to that point anytime soon.