NHL Southeast Goalie Rankings

To some teams in the Southeast, consistency in net is the one thing that's eluded them. To other teams in the division, it's the one thing that's saved them. We rank 'em. By Bryan Rubin 

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Pundits say you can only go as far as your goaltender takes you. Take the New Jersey Devils. The Devils could barely score two goals per game last season, but also ranked ninth in the NHL in goals against. In the Southeast Division, all five teams have mediocre to explosive offenses, but goaltending will still be a key for all five teams looking to make the playoffs and a cup run. Let's look at how the five starting keepers stack up. 


Goaltender Rankings
1. Tomas Vokoun, Washington Capitals
Vokoun put up great numbers in Florida on a below average team. Now, with an offense to support his goaltending, Vokoun looks to bring the Stanley Cup to the desperate fans of Washington.


2. Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes
The goalie finished third in the NHL in wins last year with 37. The Hurricanes lost a lot of close ones last year, but with a consistent scoring attack in front of him, Ward could help sneak the Canes into the postseason this season.
3. Dwayne Roloson, Tampa Bay Lightning
Roloson came over from the New York Islanders last season and led Tampa to the Eastern Conference Finals. It’ll be hard to duplicate last season’s magic, but at age 42, no one has more experience than Roloson.
4. Jose Theodore, Florida Panthers
Theodore put up solid numbers (15-11-3) for a bad Minnesota Wild team. On a Florida squad with over 10 new faces, Theodore could bring the veteran goaltending this young team needs to make some noise in the East.
5. Ondrej Pavelec, Winnipeg Jets
Battling injuries last year, Pavelec played decently when on the ice. He finished with a 21-23-9 record and posted a 2.73 goals against average. Both numbers will need to improve if the Jets have any shot at bringing playoff hockey back to Winnipeg.