Corey Hirsch is a former NHL goaltender who spent parts of seven seasons with the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, and Dallas Stars.
Wayne Gretzky was once asked who his goaltender would be if he had to put everything on the line for one game. He answered, without hesitation: Grant Fuhr.
So if I had to put everything on the line for one game, who would I choose out of the remaining goaltenders in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs? Here are my selections in descending order:
4. John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
Physical game - His unorthodox style keeps shooters guessing. I have yet to see a goaltender in this year's playoffs move better laterally than Gibson. He has powerful pushes, and his ability to read the play is a huge reason why Anaheim is still in the playoffs.
Mental game - Gibson at times can lose focus, and will let in a soft goal. His team has bailed him out on a few occasions, and this is due to experience and age. As he gets older, his mental game will get better.
But when playing for a Stanley Cup, soft goals can't happen, and focus is paramount. Thus, he sits at No. 4.
3. Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators
Physical game - Anderson is an excellent athletic goaltender. I've seen him make some amazing saves he appeared to have no chance of making. He fights to see pucks in traffic and battles every night to give his team a chance.
Mental game - With what he's been through, or should I say what his wife has been through, I applaud what he has been able to do. To perform at that high of a level while dealing with his wife's cancer diagnosis is remarkable. Kudos to Anderson and his family.
His team does play a very defensive style, which benefits him on most nights. Is this his fault? No, but it's a benefit to him, and that's why he sits at No. 3.
2. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins
Physical game - I'm not sure he's ever been the most athletic goalie in the NHL. Sometimes I watch him and wonder how he stops the puck. But he gets it done. He fights for his teammates, and never quits on a puck.
Mental game - Fleury has been criticized in the past for not being strong enough in this department, but who else could take a back seat to Murray in last year's playoffs and then do what he's done this season? That takes some major strength and maturity.
Fleury has two Stanley Cup rings, while the other three goalies on this list have zero. That earns mucho respect from me, and it's why he's at No. 2.
1. Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
Physical game - 6-foot-7 and athletic? Sign me up. I've watched Rinne practice on numerous occasions, and I dare anyone to find a harder-working goalie than this guy. He's big, he's mobile, and he works his tail off.
Mental game - I have yet to see Rinne crumble in any situation. His teams haven't been the best over the years, and in some years he was the only reason the Predators reached the postseason. If he wasn't playing well, you would never know it. He looks and acts like he always has it together.
Rinne has long been one of the NHL's best, and finally has a good team with depth in front of him. He's also hungry for a Cup. That's a lethal combination for any team trying to beat him, and why he's my choice at No. 1.
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