The 2019-20 postseason will be unlike any other we've seen in the history of the NHL. Some of the 24 participating teams have already clinched playoff berths, while others will have to win a best-of-five series to earn a spot in the 16-team playoff.
With only a short runway between the qualifying round and the traditional playoffs, each club's decision regarding which goalie it starts will be a crucial one. There is little room for error - teams often only go as far as their goaltenders can take them.
Let's take a look at five of the biggest goalie dilemmas clubs are facing ahead of this year's playoffs.
Robin Lehner vs. Marc-Andre Fleury
It wasn't exactly clear what the Vegas Golden Knights' intentions were when they acquired Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline. Though he only appeared in three games with his new club before the league halted the season, he impressed by going 3-0-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and .940 save percentage.
Lehner's skills are undeniable, but the Golden Knights already have a three-time Stanley Cup champion at their disposal. Perhaps Vegas brought in Lehner to take some pressure off the 35-year-old Fleury, who played in 49 games this season. Perhaps it was an insurance move in case Fleury burned out. But while the veteran's play this season wasn't spectacular, he certainly has the playoff experience teams yearn for.
The Golden Knights' choice in net remains increasingly unclear. Now that Fleury has had months to rest, the physical toll of the regular season lingers no more. Fortunately, Vegas has also already clinched a playoff spot and will be participating in a round-robin tournament with the rest of the Western Conference's top four squads. The round robin is important for seeding purposes, but it also gives the Golden Knights a chance to start both goalies with little risk before making the final decision for the round of 16.
Prediction: Fleury gets the start in Game 1 of the playoffs
Elvis Merzlikins vs. Joonas Korpisalo
The Columbus Blue Jackets will need to heavily depend on their goalie if they want a chance at beating the high-octane Toronto Maple Leafs in the qualifying round. While Korpisalo has played four more seasons than the rookie Merzlikins, neither goalie has seen any postseason action.
Merzlikins dropped the first eight contests he appeared in this season, but he rebounded after taking over midseason for an injured Korpisalo. The 26-year-old even recorded an eight-game win streak at one point, which included five shutouts. Overall, Merzlikins produced a solid 13-9-8 record with a .923 save percentage and 2.35 goals-against average in 33 games.
Korpisalo began this season as the team's starter. Without his injury, Merzlikins wouldn't have had the chance to prove himself after a disastrous start to the campaign.
The Blue Jackets handed each goalie two-year extensions during the hiatus, though Merzlikins will receive $8 million while Korpisalo will earn $5.6 million. If the difference in value is any indication of how the team views the tandem, then Merzlikins should get the green light to man the crease.
Prediction: Merzlikins gets the nod in the qualifying round
Matt Murray vs. Tristan Jarry
Jarry heavily outplayed Murray this season, earning an All-Star Game selection and finishing the campaign with a 20-12-1 record alongside a .921 save percentage and 2.43 goals-against average.
Murray couldn't string together quality starts. He finished 20-11-5, but his peripheral stats - which included a .899 save percentage and 2.87 goals-against average - weren't great.
However, Murray has vastly more playoff experience than Jarry despite only being a year older. Jarry has never started a postseason game, while Murray has appeared in 48 playoff contests and helped guide the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. Murray didn't start in Game 1 of the playoffs either year, though, so perhaps Pittsburgh will turn to him if Jarry struggles.
Prediction: Jarry gets the start in the qualifying round
Igor Shesterkin vs. Henrik Lundqvist
Shesterkin is clearly the New York Rangers' goalie of the future. He's extremely talented, and he lived up to the hype after making his NHL debut midseason, going 10-2-0 with a .932 save percentage and 2.52 goals-against average. But can Shesterkin - who's played in just 12 regular-season contests - be trusted as the starting goalie in a five-game series?
Lundqvist is 38 years old and nearing the end of his career. While his play has started to decline, he's still shown that he's a capable goaltender. With months off to rest, can he channel his old self for what might be a final playoff run with the Rangers?
One of the main things working in Lundqvist's favor is his record versus the Rangers' qualifying-round opponent, the Carolina Hurricanes. Lundqvist went 3-0-0 against Carolina this season with a 2.33 goals-against average and .947 save percentage. He's also played in 128 playoff games, steering the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final twice and the Stanley Cup Final once.
But despite Lundqvist's Hall of Fame-worthy career, all good things must come to an end. Shesterkin's clearly New York's best goaltender at the moment and he should start out of the gate despite his lack of experience.
Prediction: Shesterkin gets the nod in the qualifying round
Braden Holtby vs. Ilya Samsonov
Holtby is coming off the worst statistical season of his career, as he posted career lows with a .897 save percentage and 3.11 goals-against average in 48 appearances. However, it is possible the 30-year-old was just fatigued. Over the last three seasons - including the playoffs - Holtby has appeared in 191 games.
Samsonov is clearly the Washington Capitals' goalie of the future, but he is still just 23 years old and has minimal NHL experience. He played extremely well in his debut season, putting together a 16-6-2 record, but Washington seemed reluctant to put him in the driver's seat.
Holtby is an impending free agent, so this is a good chance for him to prove that he still has gas in the tank. Like the Golden Knights, the Capitals are fortunate enough to find themselves in the round-robin tournament, which means both goalies will almost certainly play. Who will start in the round of 16 may depend on those results.
Holtby - who helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup just two years ago - definitely has the experience edge over Samsonov and should start to begin the playoffs. But perhaps this postseason will mark the changing of the guard in Washington and usher in a new era with Samsonov leading the way.
Prediction: Holtby starts Game 1 of the playoffs
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