2024 NHL Playoffs: Goalie power rankings

The NHL playoffs are here, and it is time to let the fun begin. Many factors go into a long run for the Stanley Cup, but having a strong goaltender could make all the difference.

Below, we have ranked all 16 goaltenders who will start for their respective teams in the playoffs. This will show who has the edge in between the pipes for the 2024 NHL Playoffs.

16. WSH: Charlie Lindgren

Give credit where credit is due, Charlie Lindgren helped drag the Washington Capitals to an unlikely playoff berth. He posted strong numbers (2.67 goals against average, .911 save percentage, league-leading six shutouts), and played consistently well down the stretch.

Lindgren isn’t a big name most people would know, but if he can keep up those numbers in the playoffs, he will be known soon enough.

15. LA: Cam Talbot

One of the oldest goaltenders on the list, 36-year-old Cam Talbot continues to impress for the Los Angeles Kings. He has posted exceptional numbers - 2.50 goals against average and a .913 save percentage - on a Kings team that has had an inconsistent season.

He will need to be very sharp in the postseason as the Kings aren’t one of the strongest teams, and they are taking on an offensive juggernaut in Edmonton.

14. TOR: Ilya Samsonov

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov has had a roller coaster of a season. Early into the season, he was unplayable and even had a stint in the AHL. Then things changed, and he returned to form with a .905 save percentage and 2.71 goals against average on an 18-4-2 record from mid-January through the end of the regular season.

Samsonov needs to continue his strong second-half play if he wants his team to have a chance. He has shown before that he can.

13. COL: Alex Georgiev

At the very top of the wins list, you would find Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alex Georgiev. Georgiev is a decent goaltender on an extremely strong team, but he certainly did not have his best year.

He will have to put his underwhelming statistics - .897 save percentage and 3.02 goals against average - behind him as he looks to help Colorado win their second Stanley Cup in three years.

12. CAR: Fredrick Anderson/Pytor Kotchetkov

Our third-ranked goaltender duo, but first in this list, lies in the crease of Carolina. The Hurricanes have two very strong options now that Frederik Anderson - who posted a .932 save percentage and 1.84 goals against average in 16 regular season games - has returned from a lengthy injury.

They have relied heavily on Pytor Kotchetkov all season, and he answered the bell with a .911 save percentage and a 2.33 goals against average. Whether they continue to role with him or switch to a proven veteran in Anderson, Carolina will have a good option.

11. VGK: Logan Thompson/Adin Hill

The reigning Stanley Cup champions in the Vegas Golden Knights have leaned heavily on two great goaltenders in Logan Thompson and Adin Hill, and we could see either one or both be the guy for this playoff run.

Hill won the Stanley Cup for this team last year, and was incredible the whole way through. Now looking at this season, Thompson has been stronger down the stretch. Whoever plays in these playoffs will be a great choice for Vegas, and coach Bruce Cassidy could alternate between the two.

10. EDM: Stuart Skinner

Stuart Skinner continues to take major steps in becoming one of the NHL’s best goaltenders and has been a decisive factor in the Oilers' improved defence this season. He played 59 games, while winning 36 of them and posting two shutouts. These are all career highs.

Skinner looks to go even further in his second trip to the playoffs after a second-round exit last season. He posted a .905 save percentage and a joint-career-best 2.62 goals against average in 2023/24.

9. NYI: Ilya Sorokin

For the past few years, Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin has solidified himself as one of the top goaltenders in the NHL. However, this season was a bit of an off-year compared to the past two.

His goals against average was just above the three-goal line at 3.01, and his save percentage hovered around .900 at .908. His stats overall in the regular season were not too impressive, but the playoffs bring a clean slate.

8. DAL: Jake Oettinger

One of the NHL’s best young goaltenders in Jake Oettinger will be a major piece for the Dallas Stars in the hunt for the Stanley Cup. He took a step back statistically this season, but he has dealt with injury and seems ready to reach his best.

Oettinger won 35 games this season, which helped him and the Stars win the entire Western Conference. If he can keep up his leadership in net, Dallas could go far, but his .905 save percentage and 2.72 goals against average were career-worsts in his strong four-season NHL tenure.

7. TB: Andrei Vasilevskiy

Two-time Stanley Cup winner Andrei Vasilevskiy and the Tampa Bay Lightning look for even more playoff success, and with him in the net, it is always a possibility.

Vasilevskiy brings an enormous frame, but moves incredibly well. His statistics are always amongst the best and he will be a force in the playoffs as always but with that being said, his save percentage and goals against average this season were worse than his career averages.

6. NSH: Juuse Saros

Juuse Saros is a pure workhorse, who played in 64 games this season, the most among NHL goaltenders. He is at the top of the list when it comes to reasons why the middling Nashville Predators are in the playoffs.

Saros is the type of goalie who can steal games from anyone, which may be realized sooner rather than later when these playoffs begin and he takes the ice.

5. BOS: Linus Ullmark/Jeremy Swayman

For the Boston Bruins, we could see either Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman - or both - lead the way in these playoffs. One thing is for sure, no matter who it is, they will be getting great goaltending.

Ullmark and Swayman thrive in this true duo style for their team, and their numbers from this season and last completely prove it. Boston truly has an advantage with two elite goaltenders and it's possible that they simply alternate goalies every other game.

4. VAN: Thatcher Demko

The Vancouver Canucks and goaltender Thatcher Demko had a regular season to remember, and based on his career trajectory, he is on track to be one of the best if not the best in the league soon enough.

Demko’s statistics compare favorably to those at the very top of the league, but even he would say he can be better. He will be the key to a potential run by the Canucks. He had the fifth-lowest goals against average, the second-most goals saved above average and the joint-fifth-most shutouts in 2023/24.

3. NYR: Igor Shesterkin

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin is one of the league’s best goaltenders, and is going to be a major problem for any team he faces after posting a .912 regular season save percentage.

The Russian goaltender is elite and plays behind a well-structured Rangers team that is built for the playoffs. Expect his playoff numbers to be even better than what he has shown thus far.

2. FLA: Sergei Bobrovsky

Another one of the top goalies from this year is Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. You will see Bobrovsky’s name near the top of all goaltending statistics, as he was nearly unbeatable with a .915 save percentage and 2.37 goals against average.

He has led the Panthers to an Atlantic Division title, after taking his team to the Stanley Cup Finals just last season. He is an absolute force to be reckoned with.

1. WPG: Connor Hellebuyck

Winner of the William M. Jennings Trophy, and probable Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck leads the list. Hellebuyck has posted yet another incredible season, near the top of all major goaltending stats such as wins, goals against average, save percentage, shutouts, and more.

He led the Winnipeg Jets to a 52-win season, and will look to continue this stretch of unbeatable play, hopefully resulting in a Stanley Cup.