Counting Down: NHL’s Best Backups
Posted on 07. Aug, 2011 by Jordan Bateman in Counting Down
With less ice-time than a fourth liner, less press than an assistant coach and salaries closer to an entry level contract than an NHL regular, you could be excused for not spending a lot of time thinking about your favourite team’s backup goalie. But before you dismiss them entirely, consider this; last season’s three Vezina finalists combined averaged only 60 games played. That means that, even if you have the best goaltender in the league, you still have to play in front of someone else for 25% of your season, more than enough games to make or break your playoff chances. Mix in the fact that they have to be ready to jump into any game at any time without any sort of warm-up against the best players in the world, and you can understand what makes a great backup goalie so special. So this week, Hockey Quarterly salutes the unsung heroes of the NHL with the top 5 backup goalies of last season.
#5: Tuuka Rask
10-12-2, .917 SV%, 2.75 GAA, 2 shutouts
The only reason Tuuka Rask is on this list is because he happens to be unlucky enough to play on the same team as the best goalie in the world. After losing the starting job to Tim Thomas, Rask went on to perform admirably in a supporting role, giving the much older Thomas time and space to rest up for a long, eventually Stanley Cup winning, playoff run.
#4: Anders Lindback
11-5-2, .915 SV%, 2.60 GAA, 2 shutouts
When Nashville starter Pekka Rinne went down with an injury (twice), Lindback stepped in gave Nashville a chance to win every night. Not bad, considering the 6’6”, 23 year old had the pressure of replacing a Vezina candidate and a potential playoff spot resting on his incredibly high shoulders.
#3: Brian Boucher
17-8-4, .915 SV%, 2.41 GAA
While his performance in the playoffs was disappointing, Boucher’s regular season numbers were excellent. Known for his fantastic locker room presence, great attitude, and a willingness to play whenever called upon, Boucher was arguably the closest you can get to the ideal backup last season.
#2: Brent Johnson
11-5-3, .920 SV%, 2.19 GAA
When starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury faltered early in the season, Johnson was there to pick up the slack, helping to pull the Penguins out of a slump and giving Fleury the time he needed to get his game together.
#1: Cory Schneider
14-3-2, .927 SV%, 2.22 GAA
A backup goalie with starters numbers, Schneider was so good in the regular season last year that the Canucks started him in place of Vezina candidate Roberto Luongo in game six of the conference quarterfinals.
Honourable Mentions:
Ray Emery: Though he did not play enough games to make the list, Emery was outstanding in his short stint with the Ducks last season. When starting goalie Jonas Hiller went down with vertigo, Emery set off on a 6-0-0 run that came with a 1.90 GAA and .935 save percentage, helping the Ducks squeak into the playoffs.
Braden Holtby: Considered to be more of a call-up than a backup, Holtby was a remarkable 10-2-2 last season with a sparkeling 1.79 GAA and a .934 save percentage, though playing for the defensively minded Eastern Conference champions never hurts.