Goalie Playoff Performances and Their 2026-27 Outlook

Good day to you fantasy hockey fans! In case you missed it, Freddie Andersen and the Carolina Hurricanes have already punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals and they should have some more goalies joining them there soon as the NHL continues it’s progression through the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. And how has your dynasty or keeper league goalie fared this postseason? And what kind of influence can a goaltender’s postseason performance have on your single-season league’s draft next fall? Let’s take a look at 11 goalies from the 8 teams that advanced to the second round of this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs and see how their playoff performance has impacted their 2026-27 outlook:

Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes - After trudging through the regular season with an unbecoming 3.05 GAA and .874 SV%, the Great Dane got to start with a clean slate for postseason play and he has yet to dirty it. Through 8 games Freddie is a perfect 8-0 and has yet to give up more than 2 goals in any single game. His 1.12 GAA and .950 SV% lead all playoff goalies and have put him as a front runner for the Conn Smythe award given to the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, he becomes a UFA at the end of this season, turns 37 in October, and had a rather awful regular season performance for the fantasy managers that drafted him last year. Sell high if you can, but let someone else reach for him.

Carter Hart, Vegas Golden Knights - Despite Adin Hill backstopping Vegas to their Stanley Cup victory in 2023, it has been Carter Hart that has taken the starter’s reigns for coach Tortorella and the Golden Knights’ Cup run this year, starting all 11 games played so far. Hart has been up the task, going 7-4 with a 2.41 GAA and .912 SV%. In his second round matchup, the 27 year old keeper has held the Ducks offense to 2 or fewer goals 3 times already (all Vegas wins), a feat that the Oiler’s net minders could only manage to do once. The fact that head coach John Tortorella has started him for every game this postseason (and Vegas’ success while doing so) definitely adds upside to Hart’s 2026-27 outlook as the potential starter for a perennial playoff team.

Scott Wedgwood, Colorado Avalanche - Wedgwood has posted a pretty 6-1 this postseason, but after sweeping the Kings in round 1, the 33 year old Canadien has begun to show the cracks in his armor playing against the Wild in round 2. While he has gone 1-1 in the second round, Wedgewood only managed to turn aside 68 of the
79 pucks fired his way through 3 games played (.860 SV%) and has since conceded the starter’s crease to fellow keeper MacKenzie Blackwood. It will be worth keeping an eye on who gets the starts moving forward, but for now it seems that Colorado owes no allegiance to either goalie in 2026-27 and will simply ride the hot hand when the time comes.

MacKenzie Blackwood, Colorado Avalanche - Blackwood has only let by 3 goals in his 2 games played (1 start) and is sporting a healthy .912 SV% while doing so. Blackwood looks to get the first shot at closing out the Wild this evening (Wednesday, May 13). If he gets the job done, it may be his job to lose in round 3. Update: it’s the end of the first period and Blackwood let in 3 goals on 13 shots. The crease goes back to Wedgewood for the second period and likely game 6. As to 2026-27? All signs point to crease-share.

Lukas Dostal, Anaheim Ducks - Dostal has done his part minding the keep for a young, offensively minded team that has been getting it’s feet wet in the playoffs after an 8 year absence. What that translates to, however, are solid volume numbers in point based leagues (11 GP, making all of his team’s starts, 6-4-1 postseason record), but only middling stats for category based leagues (3.36 GAA, .878 SV%). His playoff run with the Ducks this year reconfirms what we already knew: Dostal is the undisputed starter on a team that will win more games than they lose.

Jakub Dobes, Montreal Canadiens - The 24 year old Czech native has made a splash this postseason by remaining calm, cool, and collected under pressure and leading the Canadiens to a 6-3-2 record in his 11 starts. While Dobes entered the season ranked behind both incumbent Montembault and heir to throne Fowler, he has shined in his current opportunity as starter (2.22 GAA, .914 SV%). He has played well enough where this now look’s like it’s his net to lose in 2026-27.

Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild - After shutting the door on Dallas, Wallstedt let open the floodgates for the Avalanche, surrendering 11 goals on 74 shots fired in his first two starts in Colorado. For what it’s worth, he got the first shot in the starter’s crease and played the part admirably. The 23 year old, Wallstedt, still has a .912 SV% to go along with a 2.66 GAA through 9 games. It looks like a bright future ahead, but next season may still be a timeshare.

Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild - The Gus Bus has started 2 games for the Wild and has, at the very least, reminded Wild management that he is a gifted goalie. If the Wild go on to win this series against the Avs and then go right along and win themselves a Stanley Cup with Gustavsson at the helm - well, you can still expect there to be a timeshare in Minnesota for 2026.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres - What a trip the 2026 playoffs have been for UPL! First, he was give the starter’s nod for Buffalo’s postseason opener, which the Sabres won and so 6K started game 2. But after allowing some just lousy goals to the Bruins through the first 2 frames, he was pulled in favor of Lyon. Now we’re ready for game 5 of round 2 and the Swedish net minder is in the starter’s net. What does all of this mean for next season? More timesharing. 45 starts next year may be the high end.

Alex Lyon, Buffalo Sabres - Lyon has gotten the majority of starts this postseason (8 versus 3), but UPL stole the show in game 4 and now it’s, once again, his crease to lose. Through his 8 games played, Lyon has gone 4-2-1 with a 2.18 GAA and a .914 SV%. At this point, fantasy managers would be wise to simply target whichever option is cheaper when it comes to next season’s outlook.

Dan Vladar, Philadelphia Flyers - Vladar performed admirably through 10 games, going 4-4-2 and being 1 of only 2 goalies to post multiple shutouts this postseason (2, Andersen). The Flyers offense got completely stifled by Carolina, but they made it to overtime twice and Vladar couldn’t keep the door closed. He’ll finish the 2026 playoffs with a 2.18 GAA and .922 SV% and the confidence of being a starter next season. After finishing this last season with a career high 52 GP, look for Vladar to take another step forward in that category in 2026-27.

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading! My name is Garrett Finlay and you can follow me on X @garrett_fi51284 and on Bluesky @garrettfinlay.bsky.social where I am often talking goalies and fantasy hockey. I’ll be back here next Thursday, so until then - Happy Hockeying and good luck out there!