Analyzing first-round goalie matchups
Even against the mighty Caps, don't sleep on Jaroslav Halak and the Habs
While goals-against average (GAA), wins and even shutouts are reflections of team defense as well as goaltending ability, save percentage is the conventional stat that best isolates a goaltender's individual skill and impact upon a game. Simply put: A good team defense decreases the number of shots on goal against (SOGA), but it's then up to the goaltender to stop as many of those shots as possible.
So which NHL goaltender stands the best chance of making an impact on the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs? And which big name is bound to falter?
Very detailed info after the jump here -- including breaking down all eight first-round matchups from the goalie side of things. To get into it, though, you must be an ESPN Insider.
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2010 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
Here is a review of the first round of the playoffs. 2010 Playoffs
EASTERN CONFERENCE
- No. 1 Washington-No. 8 Montreal
- No. 2 New Jersey-No. 7 Philadelphia
- No. 3 Buffalo-No. 6 Boston
- No. 4 Pittsburgh-No. 5 Ottawa
WESTERN CONFERENCE
- No. 1 San Jose-No. 8 Colorado
- No. 2 Chicago-No. 7 Nashville
- No. 3 Vancouver-No. 6 Los Angeles
- No. 4 Phoenix-No. 5 Detroit
FIRST ROUND
- Experts' picks: Caps, Wings ... Kings? »
- Melrose & Hradek breakdowns

- John Buccigross: East forecast »
- Upset Index: East
West 
- Scouting reports: Lidstrom, more

- Locals: Boston » Chicago » N.Y. » L.A. »
