The New Jersey Devils need Jacob Markstrom to do well. Can he get the job done on one of the NHL's top tandems? Semyon Varlamov, Ilya Sorokin and Igor Shesterkin [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5NzA2ODAwMzg2MTU2MjAx/usatsi_22557620.jpg] Semyon Varlamov, Ilya Sorokin and Igor Shesterkin The NHL’s 2024-25 season is close at hand, and it’s a great time to examine which teams have the best groups of talent at each major position (forward, defense and goaltender). We began this brief THN.com series by looking at the NHL’s top defense corps; yesterday, we focused on the teams with the most elite talent at forward; and today, we’re wrapping things up with an analysis of the franchises with the best goaltending. In reverse order: Honorary Mentions: Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres 5. NEW JERSEY DEVILS [https://thehockeynews.com/lineups/metropolitan/new-jersey-devils-projected-lineup-and-depth-chart] Top two goalies: Jacob Markstrom, Jake Allen The Devils finished in the top five at defense and at forward, and their netminding is also one of the better ones in the league. Imagine saying that last year. Newcomer Jacob Markstrom had a bounce-back year with the Calgary Flames last season (2.78 goals-against average, .905 save percentage), but he probably will be looked to for more than the 48 appearances he made last year. And in front of a far better defense corps in New Jersey, Markstrom should thrive. Similarly, Allen should be better than he was in his first 13 games as a Devil last season. He probably will play 25 to 30 games this year, and playing slightly fewer games should improve his individual numbers (.900 SP, 3.11 GAA). Markstrom and Allen are 34 years old, so they’re not in their prime. But together, they form a solid tandem that looks to be one of the NHL’s best in 2024-25. 4. DALLAS STARS [https://thehockeynews.com/lineups/central/dallas-stars-projected-lineup-and-depth-chart] Top two goalies: Jake Oettinger, Casey DeSmith The Stars changed up backup goalies this summer, signing veteran Casey DeSmith away from the Vancouver Canucks. He’ll be the understudy for star goalie Jake Oettinger. In limited usage, DeSmith (.896 SP, 2.89 GAA) had a subpar regular season, but in two playoff appearances, he posted a .911 SP and a 2.02 GAA – and in his previous four seasons, he never had an SP worse than .905. Let’s be clear, though – Dallas’ rank here primarily is because of Oettinger. He’s just 25 years old, and he’s just approaching his prime. The Stars will give their netminders plenty of offensive support, and Dallas’ goalies won’t have to steal many games to push them to the top of the Central Division. Oettinger and DeSmith will quietly go about their business, and they should be in the running for the William M. Jennings Trophy as the duo with the fewest goals allowed. But when the playoffs arrive, expect Oettinger to power Dallas to wins or keep them in close games. His 2.24 GAA and .916 SP in 19 post-season games last year was a big bounce back from his 3.06 GAA and .895 in 2022-23, and he should only get better. 3. WINNIPEG JETS [https://thehockeynews.com/lineups/central/winnipeg-jets-projected-lineup-and-depth-chart] Top two goalies: Connor Hellebuyck, Kaapo Kahkonen Star goalie Connor Hellebuyck is a top-five goalie in the NHL, and he won his second Vezina Trophy last season. While he hasn’t had much success in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Hellebuyck is a workhorse who appeared in 60 games last season, posting a .921 SP. He should be good for a similar amount of action this year. Behind him is first-year Jet Kaapo Kahkonen, who looked good in a short time with the Devils last season. Together, the Jets’ goalies should provide consistency, and Hellebuyck will contend for his third Vezina. Winnipeg’s defense corps has taken a bit of a hit this summer with the departure of veteran Brenden Dillon, but Hellebuyck won’t have his numbers greatly affected. He’ll be the backbone of this Jets team, and he will dominate once again. You can bet he’s focused on finally having a long playoff run. 2. NEW YORK RANGERS [https://thehockeynews.com/lineups/metropolitan/new-york-rangers-projected-lineup-and-depth-chart] Top two goalies: Igor Shesterkin, Jonathan Quick There’s a good argument to be made that Rangers star Igor Shesterkin is the game’s top goalie, even if his numbers (2.58 GAA, .913 SP) took a slight dip by his lofty standards. Veteran Jonathan Quick capably backs up the 28-year-old Russian, and the Rangers’ defense will give both goalies ample support on offense to get in the win column consistently. Shesterkin and Quick will almost assuredly post an SP of .910 or higher this year, and that will be enough to power the high-octane Blueshirts to victory more often than not. They might not the best goalie duo in their division, but they’re a close second, and they have the experience to be difference-makers in the playoffs. The Rangers have a payday crossroads with Shesterkin next summer, but that could motivate him to put up his best season yet. That will put him at the very top of the netminding mountain, where he’s been since he made his NHL debut five seasons ago. 1. NEW YORK ISLANDERS [https://thehockeynews.com/lineups/metropolitan/new-york-islanders-projected-lineup-and-depth-chart] Top two goalies: Ilya Sorokin, Semyon Varlamov The Islanders are a team built on defense, and a huge component of their blueprint for success is their goalie duo of starter Ilya Sorokin and backup Semyon Varlamov. The two veterans were insurance for each other last season, and that was especially true in the 2024 playoffs, when Sorokin struggled and Varlamov stepped in to provide sufficient netminding (including a 2.70 GAA and a .914 SP). The Isles are paying Sorokin too much money to slot him back into the backup spot, and Varlamov is now 36 years old with a lot of mileage on his competitive odometer. But if Varlamov can play 35 games or so and take some pressure off Sorokin, the Islanders will be in a terrific position down the stretch of the regular season and primed for the post-season. Their goaltending is the team's biggest strength, and so long as Sorokin and Varlamov stay healthy once the season begins – Sorokin began taking shots before practice on Wednesday as he recovers from off-season back surgery – the Isles can be competitive night in and night out. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum [https://thehockeynews.rtb.io/THNHOME/posts].
