[AbbyAk]

Sniper is correct--no sport i can think of has a position like goal--where if not up to par, the team will almost certainly not win- and when dominate--can literally carry a team to a championship or at least farther than the team's talent or standing would predict.

Some exceptions--Ken Dryden used to remark that his Canadians teams of the late 70's grew to be so good/dominate that even if he had a poor game--they would shrug it off and win anyhow.

That said, percentages and numbers are a portion, but the real thing comes down to the goalie getting into players heads (to a degree). Once a goalie becomes hot--players often try to cut the line too fine-try for the perfect shot or play-and the result is often misses on good opportunities.

Also hot goalies can literally demoralize the opposing team--Anyone remember Patrick Roy winking at Thomas Sandstrom vs LA in the finals? Grant Fuhr would let in a few-but when it mattered the most--he would almost never allow THE goal to swing momentum or allow the opposing team to win. Hasek was so good in Buffalo that it took an illegal goal for Dallas to win a cup.

My goalie scouting report this play-off yr:
Osgood: can certainly win the cup with Detroit--he may not be the best goalie out there-but has won them before--knows what it takes--and does not have to carry the team.
Lundqvist: in NY is playing incredibly well--could carry the team a ways--but NY has to start scoring more if they want a shot.
Luongo: in Vancouver can carry that team a long ways-they have alot of talent.
Brodeur:--Always have a shot with Brodeur--not sure enough scoring though.
Hiller:--Watch out for Ducks--2 excellent goalies--and a very experienced team-dark horse to go the distance.
Biron: in Philly--played better in Gm 3--don't think Philly will win cup with him though.
Fleury: Can be unreal--makes the million dollar saves--sometimes the nickel and dime stuff gets in though. Pitt can be a threat to go a ways if he gets on a roll.
Kiprusoff: Calgary goalie overworked again this yr. Capable of stealing a series, but don't think in the cards this yr.
Khabibulin: Young Chicago team--not sure quite ready to make the whole run--lots of talent and Nicolai can certainly be a game stealer.
Mason: Columbus biggest mistake was drawing Detroit first--no chance to get rolling. Mason good--but learning experience only this year.
Mason: St Louis--not enough team this yr--credit to him and team to make play-offs.
Thomas: Boston-unorthadox fighter--great story-never gives up on a play. Boston can win cup with him.
Price: Montreal-can be dominant-confidence seems to be up and down-he is young, not sure he can carry this Montreal team.
Ward: Carolina--has won the cup, I liken him to Thomas or Osgood, very good, capable of winning it all--don't think they will though.
Nabokov: San Jose: being outplayed by Hiller right now. Has to be a little better, but a very fundamentally sound goalie-not sure is a series stealer though.
Theodore/Varlamov: Washington--Theo is very inconsistent-has not been a game stealer for some time-not enough info on the Russian rookie--he played well in gm 2 vs NY though.