Saving Grace

By Jesse Liebman

Editorial. Photo by AP News

Without question, the Stanley Cup Playoffs provides one of the most exciting experiences in all of North American professional sports. The two and a half month long grind is perhaps one of the more emotionally and physically draining experiences for players and fans alike. And no one individual feels the pressure to perform more than the goalie.

When it comes right down to it, the team that's going to emerge with Lord Stanley's mug is going to be the team with the hot goalie. We've seen it before time and time again. Year by year, the Stanley Cup champion always had a goaltender who managed to elevate their game above and beyond their peers.

Case in point: in the five times the Conn Smythe trophy has been awarded to a playoff MVP on the losing team, it has gone to a goalie four times. Need more convincing?

Even in the 1980s,when offense was at a premium, the teams that won it all benefited from top-notch shutdown net-minding. The Islanders had Billy Smith, the Oilers had Grant Fuhr, and the Canadiens had Patrick Roy. One could postulate that when youhad guys like Mike Bossy or Wayne Gretzky filling the nets with pucks, it didn't matter who was in net, right? Wrong. Smith, Fuhr and Roy each boast a Conn Smythe trophy - Roy won another with the Canadiens and a record-holding third with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001 - further emphasizing just how critical the position is for a team's postseason success.

With that in mind, let's take a look at a few goalies who are raising some eyebrows with their play in the postseason so far.

Cam Ward- Carolina Hurricanes - 6 W, .935 SV%, 2 SO

Ward maintained an unmatched level of composure during the first round series against the Devils, where he went head-to-head against Martin Brodeur. Ward displayed the form that won him the Smythe in 2006. Now facing the number one ranked Bruins, Ward has been a game-stealer for the Hurricanes, which was evident in the 2-1 overtime win on Wednesday. Carolina has some impressive depth, but Ward is going to have to carry the load for head coach Paul Maurice.

Simeon Varlamov - Washington Capitals - 6 W, .942 SV%, 2 SO

Heading into the playoffs, Caps coach Bruce Boudreau was leaning heavily on veteran Jose Theodore. That experiment blew up in Washington's face early, and it looked like the Capitals were primed for another first round exit this year. But Boudreau turned to the rookie Varlamov, and the kid has played like a seasoned veteran, turning the Capitals' fortunes around against the Rangers and now proving his mettle against the superstar duo of Sidney Crosby and Evegeni Malkin. Can he hold up? That remains to be seen, but should he continue to carry his team, Varlamov may find himself in the same company of Ken Dryden, Roy and Ward, three players who won the Conn Smythe before they were even considered rookies.

Jonas Hiller - Anaheim Ducks - 6 W, .946 SV%, 2 SO

It's been an off year for J.S. Giguere, the Ducks' starting goalie and the 2003 Conn Smythe winner. That drop in production has allowed Hiller to step up and supplant Giguere as the

number one guy in Anaheim. The Swiss stopper has benefited from working with legendary goalie guru Francois Allaire, and was the reason for the Ducks' first round upset over the 1st overall San Jose Sharks. Even when Hiller lets in the questionable goal, as he did to Detroit's Mikael Samuelsson in Game two of the series against the Red Wings, he forgets it and moves on; which is why he stonewalled the Wings for three overtime periods in the Ducks' 4-3 win on the road.

Roberto Luongo - Vancouver Canucks - 6 W, .935 SV%, 1 SO

Luongo is the most high-profile name on this list - and deservedly so. On a roster that doesn't boast much talent beyond Mats Sundin, Ryan Kesler and the Sedin twins, Luongo is the reason the Canucks even are getting recognition. Named captain at the start of the year, Luongo is the unquestioned leader in the locker room. With his tremendous size (6'3", 205 lbs.) and incredible athleticism, Luongo does his best to fill the net. His play against the St. Louis Blues in the first round was solid if not spectacular, and he shut the door on the high-octane offense of the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3 at the United Center, holding the Hawks to only one goal in a 3-1 victory.

Based on their hot play, the goalies listed above would give any team a run for their money. But to say the other four starting goalies in the mix won't step up when their team needs them is premature and foolish. That's the beauty of the playoffs: a player can go from goat to savior with the drop of a hat. Or in this case, puck.