Through two games the Stanley Cup finals have proven to be anything but boring. With a first game score of 6-5 with thought we might be in store for a flurry of goals, but the netminders stepped up in game two with a 2-1 game that featured a mere 28 seconds of goal scoring through two periods.
Even for those who follow the NHL, many would not have been able to tell you much, if anything, about the two goaltenders highlighting this series.
Antti Niemi is only in his second year, having played in only 3 games last season and only 39 during the regular season this year. Despite his limited experience, Niemi has started all 18 postseason games for the Blackhawks and has been nothing short of amazing. He is 14-4 with a GAA of 2.41 and a 92% save percentage. Admittedly he has been helped by a young yet blistering offense as he has a 4-3 record when giving up 3 or more goals. Despite a few rough appearances, Niemi has held strong between the pipes and kept Chicago in a number of games and grabbing two shutouts along the way.
Across the ice is an equally surprising and anonymous goaltender, Michael Leighton. Leighton has been a journeyman backup, playing for 4 teams in 5 years, this being his second stint in Philly. Leighton started the season in Carolina and after coming back to Philly has split time with Brian Boucher. Leighton started only 26 games this year, but has come on strong in the playoffs starting 9 games, since Boucher was injured against the Bruins. Leighton is 6-3 with a GAA of 1.97 and a 93% save percentage. Leighton has three shutouts in 9 games and only two bad outings (both losses).
Though Chicago holds a 2-0 lead so far in the Stanley Cup finals, there is no telling what may happen, because with such a small sample size to go off of, either one of these goalies may make or break this series.
My prediction Chicago in 6.
