The favourites: The Americans’ crease for the Olympics is Jonathan Quick’s to lose.
After an up-and-down start to his season, Quick is settling into form. The Kings’ backstop has won five of his last six starts. His stats through the first month aren’t impressive (2.56 GAA, .903 save percentage), but much will have to happen for Quick to not be the starter for Team USA come February.
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Quick has been one of the NHL’s top goaltenders. If you ask anyone who the best goaltender in the world is at the moment, the 27-year-old Connecticut native is definitely a part of the conversation. He can carry a team singlehandedly, a trait the Americans benefitted from in 2010 with Ryan Miller’s heroics.
The goaltender with the best chance to unseat Quick from the starter spot is Detroit’s Jimmy Howard, who is coming off his two best seasons since breaking into the NHL.
Like Quick, Howard is off to an inconsistent start in 2013-14. But after those two, there are plenty of question marks with the goaltending depth for the U.S.
Howard was the No. 1 reason why Detroit kept their 21-year playoff streak alive last season. He posted a 2.13 GAA and .923 save percentage and was in the Vezina Trophy conversation despite not being a finalist.
Of course, the one American goalie everyone is curious about is Miller. Thanks to his standout performance four years ago, he will get consideration by Team USA GM David Poile and company. But the fact of the matter is, Miller has gone downhill ever since claiming the silver medal in Vancouver (2.63 GAA, .916 save percentage).
Miller’s stats this season are poor, due in large part to the Buffalo Sabres’ struggles. He is 1-9-0 with a 3.13 GAA through 10 games. No matter what, though, Miller may get the benefit of the doubt because of what took place in 2010.
Stock up: Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning
He’s a long shot to make the Olympic team, but with other American goalies struggling, Bishop could find himself in the running if he continues to play well for the Lightning. Always viewed as a talented goalie, Bishop (2.41 GAA, .914 save percentage) is helping the Bolts get off to a fantastic start.
Stock down: Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators
Ottawa’s workhorse backstop has been a disappointment thus far. Anderson (3.16 GAA, .911 save percentage), viewed as a solid candidate for the No. 3 spot in the depth chart, may be playing his way out of a potential gig as the emergency netminder for the U.S.
Team USA’s projected depth chart in goal:
1. Jonathan Quick
2. Jimmy Howard
3. Ryan Miller