Back Up Goalies: Princes of the Pipes

One often underestimates and/or undervalues the role of a backup goalie.  This is quite common amoung the top teams who have an outstanding number one goaltender.  The number two guy is often overlooked, or cast over.  Then, when the number one is given a day off, many question the skill set of the backup.  But there are a few teams where the back up is more than just a back up. Being a Rangers fan, the obvious first conclusion is the 1-2 combo of Lundqvist and Biron.  Biron is just as good as Lundqvist is, but since he doesn’t play 60+ games a season, his contribution is sometimes overlooked.

I’ve always felt that some goalies, like Biron, don’t deserve the title of ‘back up goalie’.  They deserve a title a little less… déclassé.  Like, Prince Biron. Or Number Tuu (get it? Tuu instead of two?). Or the generic, goalie #2.  Either way, here are some of the NHL’s finest Princes of the Pipes.

Martin Biron NYR

Looking at stats (pardon me while I shudder for a moment…) Biron’s numbers are quite comparable to Lundqvist’s.  Lundqvist has played 37 games, Biron has 13. Their GAA are 1.82 and 1.95 respectively. Save percentages? You ask…. .939 and .924, respectively.  But stats alone are quite boring, so here, take a look at these clutch saves….

Tuukka Rask BOS

Now, no one can top Tim Thomas’ snubbing of the White House. But Rask’s performance between the pipes comes a close second.  Thomas has 32 games under his belt, Rask has 19, with strikingly similar save percentages of .933 and .936, respectively.  While Thomas may not be able to negotiate with Peggy very well to get his credit card conundrum taken care of while sitting in the back of a creepy Boston cab, Rask proves that he can take care of business between the pipes…

Cory Schneider VAN

Moving to a Western Conference team… Vancouver’s Cory Schneider is a valuable asset to have as a back up to Roberto Luongo.  While their stats are not stellar (we’re talking LOLuongo here, remember?), Schneider has moves like, wait for it…. A top notch goalie. Heh, you probably thought I was going for moves like Jagr or something stupid. But I digress… Even with a 2.28 GAA, Schneider is still worthy of being a Prince of the Pipes. Evidence is in the video below.

Jonathan Bernier LAK

The tale of two Jonathan’s in Los Angeles.  There is no denying that Bernier would make a great number one goaltender.  He’s still young and has the skill.  At 23, he’s still got years left to impress us with saves like these:

A little shout out to @msconduct10. As I ‘researched’ the info for this piece, I came face first into what she lovingly calls ‘goalie porn’.  I now know why… Sweet Fancy Moses goalies are mind-boggling, amazing athletes. Flexible, mind-boggling, amazing athletes.