The favourites: The Finns have questions up front and on the back end. The one area where they don’t have any concerns heading into Sochi is between the pipes.
Team Finland is in good hands with the goaltending they have at their disposal. Tuukka Rask and Antti Niemi have been two of the NHL’s top goaltenders this calendar year. Kari Lehtonen has quietly put together a stellar season in Dallas thus far, too. They are three of four (qualifying) goaltenders with a sub-2.00 goals-against average through Wednesday’s action.
Can you imagine if Pekka Rinne was healthy and playing to his calibre? The Finns will be leaving a very good goaltender off its roster come decision time.
Between now and then it will be interesting to see the battle between Rask and Niemi for the starter’s spot. Lehtonen is certainly in the mix, too, but Rask and Niemi would be viewed as the slight favorites at this moment. It would be the first Olympic bid for any of the three.
Rask is playing well despite Boston’s inconsistencies. His .941 save percentage is currently second among starting goaltenders, behind Josh Harding. Rask made his Olympics statement last June when he dominated Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference Finals and led the Bruins to the Cup final.
If there is one goalie in this mix that could singlehandedly carry the Finns to a medal, it’s Rask. That being said, he and Niemi are neck and neck.
Niemi is arguably playing the best hockey of his career right now. His stats in 57 games this calendar year: 33-13-10, 2.09 GAA, .923 save percentage and six shutouts. The Vezina Trophy finalist from last season has been rock-solid for a San Jose Sharks team that should be among the top Western Conference contenders this season.
If something unforeseen were to happen to Rask or Niemi, Lehtonen is capable of holding the fort for Finland. Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom was thought to be in the mix due to his experience, but he may not see much time in the crease if Josh Harding continues to dominate.
Stock up: Kari Lehtonen, Dallas Stars
With his injury history, you always have to proceed with caution with Lehtonen – but when healthy he has been an unheralded commodity since going to Dallas. He has been the Stars’ MVP amidst a shaky start. With Rinne sidelined, Lehtonen has to be in top three if the rosters were decided on today.
Stock down: Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
A bizarre infection in his surgically repaired hip has put a major dent in Rinne’s chances of making the Olympics. Before the season, Rask and Rinne were considered a two-headed monster for the
Finns, but the Predators’ backstop may miss out on another trip to the Winter Games (snubbed in 2010).
Team Finland projected depth chart:
1. Tuukka Rask
2. Antti Niemi
3. Kari Lehtonen
