[Cali Panthers Fan]

I always worry about hot goaltending first and foremost when looking at a playoff opponent. Over 4 or 5 games, goaltending can win a series single-handedly. Being as that is our personal weak point, I want the team that has the lowest chance of out-goaltending us. I also look at historical playoff performance or how hot that goaltender is heading into the playoffs. So, let's look at the goalies of each team mentioned:

Minnesota Wild-Devan Dubnyk
2018/19: GAA-2.60 (career 2.55); SV%-.911 (career .916)
Last 5 games: GAA-3.40; SV%-.859 *This includes an outlier game against Florida where he put up .571 and let in 3 goals in 20 minutes.
Career Playoff numbers: GAA-2.72; SV%-.904

A big reason why Minnesota hasn't gone far in previous playoff years is the play of Dubnyk. He doesn't elevate his game, and in fact, he's notably worse in the postseason.


St. Louis Blues-Jake Allen? Jordan Binnington?

First off, the Blues have moved to a tandem between the two goalies, splitting starts almost 50/50 of late. Allen is the more experienced of the two, so he's likely the opening night starter, but if he doesn't play well, they'd likely move to Binnington in a heartbeat.

Jake Allen
2018/19: GAA-2.85 (career 2.54); Sv%-.904 (career .911)
Last 5 games: GAA-2.20; Sv%-.919
Career Playoff numbers: GAA-2.10; Sv%-.922

It hasn't been a strong season for Allen overall, but he has been getting hot of late and he does tend to elevate his game in the playoffs. Could be a sleeper.

Jordan Binnington (career numbers are virtually identical to this season):
2018/19: GAA-1.77; Sv%-.931
Last 5 games: GAA-2.00; Sv%-.917

Binnington has cooled off a little of late, but has still put up a very strong year. If Allen falters, Binnington isn't a bad second option.

*I want no part of the Blues who have been playing lights out hockey for a couple of months now to get back into a comfortable playoff spot. Early in the year they were in the basement. This is a deep lineup overall that may lack some star power, but is still a very tough out for any team.

Dallas Stars-Ben Bishop
2018/19: GAA-2.05 (career 2.32); Sv%-.933 (career .920)
Last 5 games: GAA-0.20; Sv%-.993
Career playoff numbers: GAA-2.09 ; Sv%-.927

Nope.....nope nope nope nope nope. No thank you. Add in Seguin and Benn traditionally torching the Flames and this is a recipe for a surprise first round exit for the Flames. It would be my least ideal matchup. I'd take San Jose over Dallas right now. The only thing to add is that Bishop has battled some injury concerns this year, but he seems fine after missing the last game or two.

Las Vegas-Marc-Andre Fleury
2018/19: GAA-2.46 (career 2.55) ; Sv%-.914 (Career .913)
Last 5 games: GAA-0.80 ; Sv%-.976
Career playoff numbers *lots of games played*: GAA-2.58 ; Sv%-.911

Fleury is heating up at the right time despite just an okay season. He's by far the most experienced playoff goalie as a potential matchup, and that could be a major factor. Not a fan of facing Fleury at the moment.

Arizona Coyotes-Antti Raanta, I mean Darcy Kuemper
2018/19: GAA-2.48 (career 2.55); Sv%-.920 (career .914)
Last 5 games: GAA-3.50 ; Sv%-.897 *includes an ugly game against Chicago where he was pulled partway into the 2nd.
Career playoff numbers: GAA-2.13; Sv%-.911

Okay, so in limited playoff time he has elevated his game, but he's been relatively poor in the last few games. Also, when you look at the Coyotes roster, there's little bite to the attack. Even if they defend well and work hard, it's the prime candidate for the Flames to move past easily and gain some confidence in playoff action, especially for our goalies.


All in all, I'd rank it purely on goaltending while looking at the quality of the roster as a secondary trait.

Preferred order:
1. Arizona
2. Minnesota
3. St. Louis
4. Las Vegas
5. Dallas