*Note: Stats courtesy of ESPN Fantasy Hockey

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are now underway! At the time this article is posted, each club outside of the Oilers and Ducks will have played the first game in their series. The grueling two-month grind for hockey’s ultimate prize is in full swing. One of the biggest factors to playoff success is between the pipes. Goaltending can make or break a team’s Stanley Cup chances. But which goaltenders are the best fantasy options in the postseason? Let's rank the sixteen playoff starting goaltenders to determine who holds the most value in the crease.

Missed the Cut: Anton Forsberg (Los Angeles Kings), Tristan Jarry (Edmonton Oilers), Frederik Andersen(Carolina Hurricanes), Linus Ullmark (Ottawa Senators), Jesper Wallstedt (Minnesota Wild), Karel Vejmelka (Utah Mammoth)

These six goalies missed the cut for the top ten due to varying reasons. Anton Forsberg has been great for the Kings down the stretch, helping them secure a playoff position. However, Los Angeles faces a team that’s likely too much for them to handle in Colorado. Tristan Jarry was acquired by Edmonton in exchange for Stuart Skinner with the hopes that he would address their goaltending situation. However, he has struggled mightily since joining the Oilers. Young Jesper Wallstedt was recently named the team’s starter for their series against Dallas, but his inexperience, coupled with a daunting opponent, will keep him outside the big ten.

Karel Vejmelka has played in 64 games for Utah this season, which begs the question of whether or not the heavy workload will take a toll on him, especially against a Golden Knights team that is firing on all cylinders since their coaching change. As for the goaltenders in the Carolina-Ottawa series, Frederik Andersen and Linus Ullmark are the x-factors in the matchup. Carolina's goaltending has been their weak point this season, while Ullmark has had a rollercoaster campaign for the Senators. Both are too big of wild cards to crack the rankings.

10. Stuart Skinner, Pittsburgh Penguins

Skinner has rejuvenated himself since joining the Penguins midseason. The team has placed full confidence in him moving forward as he's been named the team’s playoff starter. Skinner holds a plethora of experience as he's been to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals as a member of the Oilers. However, his inconsistencies throughout his career and the Penguins’ status as playoff longshots prevent him from moving further up this list.

9. Lukas Dostal, Anaheim Ducks

Dostal has been a big part of the Ducks resurgence this year. After the departure of John Gibson in the offseason, Anaheim and its new coach, Joel Quenneville, placed their trust in the young netminder. He has risen to the challenge despite the struggles down the stretch. If he can win the goaltending duel against Tristan Jarry, the Ducks can take their first-round series. 

8. Dan Vladar, Philadelphia Flyers

Vladar has been the Flyers MVP this season, and his play has alleviated Philly’s biggest issue, which has been in goal. Their best chance of making it out of the first round is against the Penguins, whom they thankfully drew out of the gate.  Vladar is one of the hottest goaltenders in the NHL heading into the playoffs, but similar to Skinner, his team’s unlikelihood of going on a deep run prevents him from placing higher in the rankings.

7. Carter Hart, Vegas Golden Knights

Carter Hart has emerged as the savior of a struggling Golden Knights goaltending tandem. He holds seven straight wins and is a big reason for his team’s resurgence down the stretch. The Knights are playing the best out of any of the teams in the weak Pacific Division, and this bodes well for Hart's value, as he has become an unlikely factor in these playoffs.

6. Jakub Dobes, Montreal Canadiens

Montreal's big concern and weakness this season has been in the crease. Samuel Montembeault, who had been the team's starter over the last few seasons, fell flat on his face this year. Now he sits in the press box, watching the youth movement in goal take over. Jakub Dobes has been outstanding for Montreal in the back half of this season, as has Jacob Fowler as his backup. The youngest starter in these playoffs has given reason for confidence in his ability to backstop the Canadiens in the postseason.

5. Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins

After failing to make the playoffs last season, the Bruins return to the postseason this Spring was unexpected, and it's in large part due to the play of their netminder, Jeremy Swayman. His bounce-back year has settled a lot of doubters after he didn’t live up to his big extension last season. Swayman's 31 wins are amongst the top five in the league this season, and as a result, he finds himself a part of the top five playoff netminders. The Bruins will lean heavily on him to shut down the Sabres electric offense in their first-round tilt.

4. Alex Lyon, Buffalo Sabres

Following a recovery from injury, Alex Lyon is expected to be available for Game 1 against the Bruins. Buffalo's goaltending has typically been a sore spot for the organization. However, Lyon has shored up that department for the team this season. The Sabres veteran goaltender has never been a starter throughout his career, but he's one of the best available options in this year’s playoffs. If they get solid goaltending, Buffalo has the pieces in place to make it out of the Atlantic Division and go on a deep run.

3. Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars

The 27-year-old Jake Oettinger has established himself as one of the league’s top goaltenders. He has had some stellar playoff performances for the Stars in the past, but has also struggled at times when the lights have shone the brightest. Still, his play shouldn't be of any concern. Instead, their real struggle will be making it out of a loaded Central Division. If they manage to do that, Oettinger arguably will become the best goaltender available in the playoffs.

2. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning

Vasilevskiy has the highest pedigree of any goalie in these Stanley Cup Playoffs. He's backstopped the Lightning to two championships and is in the midst of another potential Vezina Trophy campaign. Despite not closing out the season at his sharpest, he gives Tampa Bay a clear edge in goal against the Canadiens due to his experience alone. However, making it out of the Atlantic will be no easy task even if Vasilevskiy is at his best.

1.Scott Wedgewood, Colorado Avalanche

Scott Wedgewood isn't the best goalie on this list, nor is he the most experienced. However, he finds himself playing for the Stanley Cup favorite and Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche. While he and Mackenzie Blackwood have shared the duties in the crease, it appears that Wedgewood has a slight edge and will start in Game 1 for Colorado. Being the most likely goaltender to hoist lord Stanley this postseason is enough to make Scott Wedgewood the most valuable goalie in the 2026 playoffs.

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