5 teams in need of better backup goaltending
The Calgary Flames reportedly placed Eddie Lack on waivers Thursday, less than five months after he was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes.
The veteran netminder had struggled with the Flames, owning a 5.29 goals-against average and a save percentage of .813, so it's understandable why Calgary chose to move on.
The Flames are one of five teams who could use better play from their No. 2 between the pipes:
Calgary Flames
Starter Mike Smith has been a revelation this season, putting on a goaltending clinic not seen in Calgary since the days of Miikka Kiprusoff. The first-year Flame has posted a .925 save rate through 19 games and has been consistently reliable for coach Glen Gulutzan.
Related - Help wanted: The Flames' backup goalie situation is untenable
But Calgary could run into trouble down the road by asking too much from a 35-year-old netminder - Smith is on pace to play 74 games - with a history of groin injuries. A reliable backup would help, but for now the team is likely to recall AHL farmhand Jon Gillies should Lack clear waivers.
Edmonton Oilers
Much like their Alberta rival, the Oilers have entrusted starter Cam Talbot with big minutes. The 30-year-old took on 73 games last year and is on pace to surpass that number this season. That workload deviates from the offseason plan, as coach Todd McLellan noted Talbot could benefit from fewer minutes.
The problem has been the performance of No. 2 goalie Laurent Brossoit, whose play over the past two years has given little reason for McLellan to regularly call upon him. Brossoit has posted a subpar .865 save percentage through five appearances this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Plans have rapidly changed in Pittsburgh, where general manager Jim Rutherford initially thought offseason pickup Antti Niemi could handle 30-to-40 games and lighten the workload for young netminder Matt Murray.
However, Pittsburgh waived Niemi after three shoddy performances and turned to minor-league keepers Casey DeSmith and Tristan Jarry. Both have potential but aren't yet NHL-ready, meaning Rutherford must head back to the drawing board in search of a consistent backup.
New York Rangers
It was difficult to understand New York's rationale in signing Ondrej Pavelec, who struggled last year with the Winnipeg Jets and wasn't much better after being demoted to the minors. The Rangers even paid Pavelec more than their former backup, Antti Raanta, who was dealt to Arizona in the offseason.
The results haven't been good. Through five showings on Broadway, Pavelec owns an .886 save percentage - ever-so-slightly worse than his numbers last year with the Jets. That's left 35-year-old starter Henrik Lundqvist to maintain a busy schedule, even though the veteran 'keeper could benefit from more nights on the bench.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Andrei Vasilevskiy, all of 23 years old, has proven capable of holding down the crease, but the high-flying Lightning could be one injury away from disaster.
Backup Peter Budaj, who filled in well for the sidelined Jonathan Quick last season in Los Angeles, hasn't enjoyed as much success since shifting to Tampa Bay via trade in February. The veteran netminder has allowed 10 goals in three outings this season, and over two campaigns with the Lightning his save rate sits below .900. Beefing up Tampa's backup goaltending prior to this season's trade deadline would be a wise move by GM Steve Yzerman.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)