It’s pretty clear by now that this is Carey Price’s job to lose. So he’s allowed a bad game, especially when it comes in the same week as two great ones.
Unless Team Canada GM Steve Yzerman puts such a hefty premium on 2010 Olympic performance that he’s willing to have perhaps the best goalie in the NHL riding the pine while his roster attempts to win gold in Sochi, the Montreal Canadiens goaltender should be between the pipes at the Games in February.
There were a few other developments this week that seemed to give Price an extra leg up on the gig, as well as some movement further down the rankings.
With 45 days to the opening ceremonies, here’s how Canada’s goalies shake down.
1. Carey Price, Canadiens: The leader in the race to Sochi had a couple of less-than-stellar games last week, it’s true, allowing five goals in a loss to the red hot Blues and coughing up a three-goal lead to the Nashville Predators before his team rallied for an overtime win, but he also allowed one goal total in two wins over the Islanders and Coyotes to give him a 3–1 week with a .919 save percentage. And that’s a down week for Price. He stays atop his perch comfortably.
2. Roberto Luongo, Canucks: Luongo’s hot streak came to an end last week with a thud. He allowed four goals on just 19 shots to the Dallas Stars and then left in the first period of Sunday’s game against the Jets with an undisclosed injury. Prior to those games he was on a run of six without a regulation loss or three goals against, however, so we’ll give him a pass. Unless his injury is more than a month-long problem he should have no problem being ready for the Games.
3. Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins: Fleury’s past playoff meltdowns will likely keep him out of the starter’s spot, but it’s getting harder and harder to justify leaving him behind. Fleury has now lost just once in his last nine games—without allowing more than three goals in any of those contests—and his 2.04 GAA and .923 save percentage are impressive.
4. Mike Smith, Coyotes: Smith lost three of the four games he played last week. But here are his save percentages in those four games: .925, .963, .926, .938. You can’t blame him for any of those losses and though he might not make the team, playing behind Canada’s firepower would be a welcome respite from Smith’s day-to-day existence as the man holding the fort in Phoenix.
5. Josh Harding, Wild: Harding will be sidelined for a couple of weeks as he adjusts his medication in an effort to stay ahead in his battle with multiple sclerosis. According to the Wild, this was a planned adjustment and it’s nothing to worry about. Hopefully they’re right because Harding is a truly inspiring story and that tale would only get better if he could resume his Vezina-calibre season.
6. Martin Brodeur, Devils: Remember above when we spoke of loyalty? This would be the ultimate loyalty selection. We don’t expect it to happen, but with some of the goalies in the lower half of this list prone to bouts of inconsistency, Brodeur would perhaps be the guy who expects the least and delivers the most if called upon. He shows up in big games and, despite a pedestrian .902 save percentage, he’s got a solid 2.38 GAA and is tied for the NHL lead with three shutouts after blanking the Lightning last week.
7. Corey Crawford, Blackhawks: It’s not his fault, but the longer his injury lingers, the less chance he has of making the team. Once thought of as perhaps a man who could take the reins among a disappointing pack, Crawford’s Sochi hopes are falling victim to the stellar play of goalies like Fleury and Smith. He needs to get healthy and remind Canada’s coaches how good he can be.
8. Steve Mason, Flyers: Inconsistent goaltending—now that’s a Power Ranking on which Mason might take top spot. His longest winning or losing streak all year is three games (one three-game win streak, one three-game losing streak) and he tends to bounce back from a bad performance with a strong night—only to allow four more goals in his next outing. You can’t trust Mason, which is basically the story of his whole career—just ask any fantasy hockey aficionado.
9. Braden Holtby, Capitals: It’s not that Holtby has been awful this season, but good-enough-to-win does not an Olympic goaltender make. Add to that the 10 goals he’s allowed in his last two games and it doesn’t look pretty. Besides, you’ve got to figure Alex Ovechkin knows how to beat him, having practised against him every day…
10. Cam Ward, Hurricanes: In danger of dropping off this list entirely, it’s now been seven games wince Ward allowed less than three goals in a contest, and he’s allowed five twice. The Hurricanes are bad, yes, but a .901 save percentage does not get you into the gold medal game unless you’re buying a ticket. Step it up, son.
Just Missed:
Martin Jones, Kings: Canada’s not taking an inexperienced rookie goaltender to Sochi, but don’t tell Jones, who has now reeled off eight consecutive wins to start his career. Price and Luongo might not be looking over their shoulders, but Ward and Holtby should be.
James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier, Leafs: Their numbers are better than some on the list, no doubt, but they can’t quite be included because neither of them have been able to seize the starting job on their own team. Going into last week’s rankings, Bernier was close to forcing his way onto the list, then he faltered. On Friday, Reimer was closing in on the No. 10 spot, then he was yanked in a loss to the Red Wings. In an Olympic tournament you want goalies who can play through hardship. Through no fault of their own, the Leafs tandem has not really been given a chance to do so this season.