NHL Push for the Playoffs: Goalie injuries make things more unpredictable

Push for the Playoffs will run every morning through the end of the 2021-22 NHL season. We’ll highlight the current playoff picture in both conferences, take a look at what the first-round matchups might look like, see who’s leading the race for the best odds in the draft lottery and more.

As much as people hope that the Stanley Cup Playoffs definitively decide the true best team in the NHL this season, the truth is that it’s an imperfect measure. Part of that boils down to random hot streaks and lucky bounces. There’s also the undeniable luck factor involved in who gets injured and who stays healthy.

That said, there are times when you can mitigate risks. Considering that every East team has a spot clinched (with only positioning to fight for), and the West is moving closer to that reality, quite a few teams have the opportunity to rest players.

Some advice, then. If you’re not going to rest players this week, at least consider doing so with your goalies, and we’ve already seen what could be some potentially brutal injuries that spill into the playoffs.

#Canes goaltending, to the best of my knowledge:

• Andersen to be reevaluated this week.• Raanta left today's game due to injury.• Lyon hurt, "hopeful" for a playoff return.• Makiniemi out since December.

Kochetkov, LaFontaine and Dylan Wells the healthy options.

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) April 24, 2022

To be clear, injuries to other positions matter, as well. The Capitals are currently crossing their fingers about Alex Ovechkin.

Still, goalie injuries are simply harder to shrug off with a “next one up” mentality. There aren’t as many of them, and the drop-off from NHL-level goalies and fringe ones can sometimes be drastic. You can’t hide them in the lineup like you would