Goaltending has always been a major talking point when the NHL playoffs arrive.
The great debate is about how strong a team’s goaltending needs to be to win the Stanley Cup. Part of that conversation concerns whether a strong tandem makes all the difference or if one solid starter is enough.
A look at the last 10 Cup champions suggests that while depth in goal can be helpful, it often doesn’t matter much in the quest for the NHL’s top prize. Teams with a goalie rotation during the regular season, such as the Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers, must keep that in mind when it comes time to pick a starter.
In most cases, the team that hoists the Cup doesn’t have to worry about who to start in net. A primary goaltender shoulders the load.
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy (2020, 2021), Florida Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky (2024), and St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Binnington (2019) all played at least 23 post-season games en route to their championships. While Bobrovsky had a .906 save percentage in 2024, he had the third-best goals-against average among goalies who played at least 10 games. Vasilevskiy and Binnington had save percentages of .914 or better.
When a team has a strong No. 1 leading the way, the backup is just there for insurance or injury.
That was the case in 2022 when Pavel Francouz backstopped the Colorado Avalanche during the Western Conference final as Darcy Kuemper recovered from an upper-body injury. He did record a shutout and a satisfactory .906 save percentage in seven games, but the Avalanche’s offense took matters into their own hands and scored at least four goals in each of Francouz’s starts.
In the Washington Capitals’ win in 2018, Philipp Grubauer had a better save percentage and goals-against average during the regular season, but Braden Holtby played 54 games and was the starter for most of the campaign. Grubauer started the first two playoff games before being replaced, and Holtby had a .922 save percentage in 23 games en route to winning it all.
The 2023 Vegas Golden Knights stand out as an anomaly in recent history.
Adin Hill emerged as the team's post-season hero, posting a .932 save percentage in 16 playoff games. This came after the Golden Knights played five different goalies during the regular season.
Logan Thompson was the go-to guy throughout the year. However, Laurent Brossoit began the playoffs in net before an injury forced Vegas to turn to Hill. Hill had only played 27 regular-season games, and his .915 SP and 2.50 GAA were solid but not outstanding.
The Pittsburgh Penguins also took advantage of two strong goalies in 2017. Marc-Andre Fleury played 15 games before Matt Murray took over and backstopped them to the championship with a .937 save percentage in 11 appearances.
The Case For Anthony Stolarz To Be The Maple Leafs' Playoff Starter In NetAs the end of the NHL’s 2024-25 regular season draws to a close, teams are going to decide which goalie they're going to start in the Stanley Cup playoffs. For many, if not most teams, the choice is going to be easy: Connor Hellebuyck will be starting for the Winnipeg Jets, and Sergei Bobrovsky will be the starter for the Florida Panthers. But for a few teams, the choice of a starting goalie isn’t so clear.
In any series, good goalies can be outmatched by their opposing netminder who seemingly comes out of nowhere. The Oilers’ Stuart Skinner outplayed Dallas Stars netminder Jake Oettinger and put a scare into Bobrovsky last season, while Arturs Silovs made a name for himself in Vancouver when Thatcher Demko suffered an injury.
While having a competent backup is useful – particularly if injuries arise – the last decade has shown that teams usually win with a clear-cut No. 1 goalie and not with a rotation. Frankly, a hot goaltender remains one of the most important factors in winning a Stanley Cup.
That makes things interesting for the Leafs, Hurricanes and Oilers, which have often split the starts in net when their top two goaltenders are healthy.
Since Carolina’s Frederik Andersen returned from injury on Jan. 20, he and Pyotr Kochetkov have 14 games each. The Leafs’ Joseph Woll has 39 games to Anthony Stolarz’s 30, but the latter has a better goals-against average and save percentage. And the Oilers play Skinner more than Calvin Pickard, but not by much since Jan. 1 – Skinner’s had 24 appearances, while Pickard played 18 games.
A tandem can help manage the load during the regular season, but when the playoffs arrive, it’ll be time for those clubs to choose their No. 1.
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The Winnipeg Jets will be without Luke Schenn for the second consecutive game tonight as they continue their road trip against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Schenn left Tuesday's practice ahead of the Jets game against the Los Angeles Kingswith "stiffness" and was announced as a game-time decision. He did not play that night, and despite skating this morning, he did not participate in any line rushes.
Similar to their matchup with the Kings, the Golden Knights roster multiple big forwards, eager to impose themselves physically on the forecheck. That style of play is common in the playoffs, and it's why the Jets acquired Schenn at the deadline.
The Jets have elected to make multiple changes to their lineup tonight, adding Jarett Anderson-Dolan in replace of David Gustafsson. Anderson-Dolan hasn't played a game with the Jets this season but has scored seven goals and 19 points in 51 games with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL.
HC Scott Arniel has also reunited the second and third lines, placing Nikolaj Ehlers back with Cole Perfetti and Vladislav Namestnikov. Perfetti will also join the first power play unit, rewarded for his strong offensive results as of late.
Finally, Eric Comrie will step in between the posts for the Jets, making his 18th start of the season. He's posted an 8-9-1 record, a .909 SV% and a 2.49 GAA. He'll duel Adin Hill, in line to make his fifth start in 10 days.
The Dallas Stars could be within two points before the Jets finish their first period tonight, increasing the need to pick up the two points tonight.
Puck drop is at 9:00 PM CST at T-Mobile Arena.
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Is Logan Stanley Deserving Of A Spot In The Jets Lineup?The Winnipeg Jets had cut the lead in half and were building off of the momentum before a costly turnover by Logan Stanley allowed the Los Angeles Kings to regain their two-goal advantage, proving to be enough to sink their hopes of a comeback. 
The 51-20-4 Winnipeg Jets will face the 45-21-8 Vegas Golden Knights from T-Mobil Arena in Nevada on Thursday night.
The late-night affair will be a critical contest in the Jets' race for the Central Division crown, and further, the outright lead in the NHL standings.
There will be some changes again for Winnipeg, which continues to see the rehab of injuries to Neal Pionk, Rasmus Kupari and Gabe Vilardi, leading to further opportunity for younger players.
Jaret Anderson-Dolan will make his Jets debut on Thursday, slotting in for David Gustafsson on the fourth line, while Eric Comrie will get the start in goal.
Luke Schenn - who missed Tuesday's game vs. Los Angeles - will be a game-time decision due to a minor ailment that has been bugging him since Tuesday morning. If he cannot go, both Logan Stanley and Haydn Fleury will dress for Winnipeg.
Winnipeg Jets expected line combinations for Thursday, April 3 at Vegas:
Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Ehlers-Namestnikov-Perfetti
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
Anderson Dolan-Barron-Tanev
Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Miller
Fleury-Stanley
Comrie
Healthy scratches: Gustafsson, Heinola
Injured: Pionk, Vilardi, Kupari, Schenn
You have to go back pretty far in the schedule to find the last time the Florida Panthers stacked up three L’s in a row.
Not since the end of November has Florida gone this long between victories.
Interestingly, the Panthers aren’t really unhappy with how they’ve been playing, feeling it’s been more a situation where they’re simply not getting results.
With challenging road games coming up against Ottawa and Detroit, picking up the suddenly elusive win isn’t going to get any easier.
For now, let’s get to Wednesday’s takeaways:
PUCKS ON NET
One constant during Florida's three-game skid this week has been an issue with recording shots on goal.
In the two games against Montreal, the Panthers recorded 53 shots on 94 attempts. The Canadiens were credited with blocking 52 shots, nearly the same amount Florida was able to get on net.
It wasn't any better against Toronto.
Florida recorded 31 shots, the most of their three games this week, bus still had 49 attempts that never got to Anthony Stolarz, 26 of which were blocked.
Consider that the Cats have scored exactly two goals in each of their three losses, which is over a goal less than their season average of 3.09 goals per game, and it's clear where the disconnect is coming from.
We'll see how long it takes Florida to get things cleaned up.
"We're having a hard time hitting the net, and getting a bunch blocked," said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. "I think we probably had close to 50 that never got to the net. We had some good looks."
NOT ALL BAD
Florida did score first on Wednesday in Toronto and carried much of the play throughout the game.
The second period was particularly strong for the Cats, outshooting the Leafs 16-5, but still coming out with only a 1-1 tie.
A less-than-idea start to the third period allowed the home team to build some momentum that eventually helped them take a commanding late lead on Florida.
Once again, there was a lot to like within the game, but ultimately the results were less than ideal.
"I didn't like the first six minutes of third period. I just didn't think we skated, and then we got hemmed in a little bit," said Maurice. "The overview is I expected the whole game to look like that, I thought that's the way the game was going to be played. I loved the first 40, probably the last 10-12 minutes of the third period, I liked out game an awful lot."
BIG MILESTONE FOR BOB
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky played in his 750th career NHL game against the Leafs on Wednesday.
It's just the latest milestone for a guy that should absolutely end up in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
He's won multiple Vezina Trophies, is a three-time NHL All-Star and in recent years has earned a reputation as one of the league's best playoff goalies.
There is also that Stanley Cup he helped Florida win last summer.
As elite and exceptional as Bob has been on the ice, he's been equally impressive as a teammate, always smiling and seeming to enjoy himself while displaying a work ethic that has become legendary among his peers.
"He's a new experience for me," said Maurice. "He's an incredibly interesting man off the ice, just a wonderful person to talk to. I still consider him a young guy. Boy, you learn a lot from conversations with him, and then his prep and how much he cares. He seems, as well, to have found a way to have a little bit of fun with all the pressure that a number one goalie carries. So he's been a pleasure."
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Owen Tippett is a player who makes you sit up in your seat.
He’s the kind of skater who, when given even a sliver of open ice, can change a game in an instant.
He’s fast, powerful, and deceptively creative, a rare combination of size and skill that makes him one of the Philadelphia Flyers’ most dangerous weapons.
And while the numbers don’t always tell the full story, interim head coach Brad Shaw has made it clear: Tippett’s impact on the ice goes well beyond what shows up on a stat sheet.
“When he gets a pocket of open ice, there’s few players like him in the league,” Shaw said. “I’d like for that to show up a little bit more.”
It’s a sentiment that feels both like praise and a challenge. Tippett’s ability is undeniable—he’s shown flashes of brilliance that few players possess. But Shaw, like many who have watched him over the years, knows there’s still another level he can reach.
The Art of the Impossible
Take Jakob Pelletier’s goal against the Buffalo Sabres. The play Tippett made to set it up was, in Shaw’s words, “ridiculous.”
“The play he makes on [Pelletier’s] goal is, you know, a play that you couldn’t describe to somebody unless you really knew how hard that is to do at this level. That’s ridiculous.”
OWEN TIPPETT 🤯
— NHL (@NHL) March 29, 2025
He makes an unreal move to set up Jakob Pelletier for his first goal with the @NHLFlyers!
📺: @NHLNetworkpic.twitter.com/K4tO0H9HW8
Tippett has this uncanny ability to make the impossible look routine. It’s something Flyers fans have seen before—those moments where he seems to slow the game down, taking an extra second or two when everyone else is panicking. Shaw pointed to a goal Tippett scored against Dallas, where he used his backhand to beat a goaltender in a way that will leave anyone who watches it with their jaws on the floor.
OWEN TIPPETT OH MY GOODNESS 😱 pic.twitter.com/kRY2yhTJcm
— NHL (@NHL) January 19, 2024
“In my three years here, he’s probably made a dozen or so of those plays,” Shaw said. “Whether it’s the goal against Dallas on his back end, or where he takes three or four seconds and just turns the game magical. He has that ability.”
That’s the thing about Tippett—he’s not just a player who has speed and a great shot. He has creativity. He has vision. He has that intangible ability to see the game differently, to hold onto the puck just a moment longer than expected, to find seams where none seem to exist.
The Battle for Consistency
So why doesn’t it show up more often? Why isn’t Tippett making highlight-reel plays every single night?
“I think the consistency is hard for a guy who has that skill package,” Shaw admitted.
It’s the eternal battle for players with Tippett’s unique blend of size, speed, and finesse. The very thing that makes him special—the ability to slow the game down and create—also makes it difficult to replicate night after night. The NHL doesn’t always allow for that kind of artistry. Sometimes, you don’t have time to slow down. Sometimes, the best play is the simple play.
Shaw acknowledged that balance, noting that Tippett doesn’t always need to be flashy to be effective.
“You can’t always show that, but I think he’s becoming a more consistent performer…I don’t think it needs to show up all the time because it’s good enough in other elements to play a simpler game at times, or maybe a more north-south game.”
Owen Tippett with a move you often only see in video games! 🎮
— NHL (@NHL) October 16, 2024
Imagine if he scored? 🤯
📺: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/S5tPrXCygmpic.twitter.com/34xNyqWvwl
That’s the evolution of Tippett’s game—figuring out when to simplify and when to dazzle. The best players in the world don’t turn every shift into a highlight reel, but they also know when to take over. For Tippett, it’s about finding that balance.
A Player Still Coming Into His Own
Tippett has come a long way since arriving in Philadelphia. He’s no longer just the speedy prospect trying to prove he belongs. He’s a foundational piece of the Flyers’ offense, a player capable of taking over games when he’s on. But, as
Shaw alluded to, he’s still figuring out exactly what his best hockey looks like.
“I think how he combines the two eventually when he starts playing his absolute best hockey,” Shaw said. “I think you’ll see a little bit more of that simplicity come through, along with the exceptional skill and talent that he has.”
It’s a fascinating thought—what will Owen Tippett look like when he fully puts it all together? When he finds the perfect mix of creativity and structure, of raw skill and efficiency? If he’s already capable of producing moments of pure magic, what happens when those moments start appearing more frequently?
The Flyers Need Tippett at His Best
With the Flyers looking to finish out the season strong, players like Tippett—players who can turn a single shift into a game-changing moment—are invaluable down the stretch. The challenge, as Shaw laid out, is to find that next level, to bring that magic a little more often while still playing within the team’s structure.
It’s a difficult balance, but Tippett is well on his way to figuring it out. He’s already shown what he’s capable of. Now, it’s about doing it just a little more often. And if he can, he won’t just be a player with flashes of brilliance—he’ll be one of the most dangerous wingers in the league.