Playoff pushes get decided by goaltending more than any other position on the ice, and the 2026 stretch run is proving that out again. Here's the ranked breakdown of the goalies actually swinging games right now, built for fans and bettors trying to figure out which crease to trust down the stretch.
- Connor Hellebuyck is the best overall pick among the best NHL goalies right now, carrying Winnipeg's playoff push again in 2026.
- Igor Shesterkin is the best bet for a bounce-back run behind a suddenly deep Rangers roster.
- Juuse Saros remains the best sleeper, still stealing points for a Nashville team that needs every one of them.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy is the safest playoff-pedigree pick with two Stanley Cup runs already on his resume.
- Jeremy Swayman's workload is the swing factor for Boston's 2026 playoff chase.
Why this matters
Goaltending swings playoff seeding more than any single skater signing, and 2026 has been no exception. A team can dress a top-ten offense and still miss the wild card if the guy in net can't hold a third-period lead. Bettors chasing puck-line value and fans arguing bracket predictions both need the same thing: an honest read on who's actually good right now, not who was good two seasons ago.
Some of these names will also be suiting up for their countries at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, which adds a workload wrinkle to the stretch run most casual fans aren't tracking. Check the Olympic hockey streaming guide for who's playing where and when the NHL calendar pauses for it.
What makes the best NHL goalies right now
- Five-on-five reliability — stopping the shots a team is supposed to stop, not just flashing highlight-reel saves
- Workload management — starts logged without a visible drop-off in late-season legs
- Defensive support in front of them — a goalie's numbers mean more or less depending on the shot quality his blue line allows
- Playoff track record — regular-season brilliance doesn't always survive April hockey
- Contract and health stability — a goalie playing on an expiring deal or coming off surgery changes the risk profile
- Team context — some goalies are propping up rosters that shouldn't be in the race at all
At a glance
| Goalie | Team | Best For | Standout Trait | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor Hellebuyck | Winnipeg Jets | Best overall | Regular-season workhorse, two-time Vezina winner | Playoff numbers have lagged his regular-season pace |
| Igor Shesterkin | New York Rangers | Bounce-back push | Elite reflexes in high-event games | Consistency dipped since his 2022 Vezina season |
| Jeremy Swayman | Boston Bruins | Young workhorse | Athletic, signed long-term | Defense in front of him is rebuilding |
| Ilya Sorokin | New York Islanders | Underrated wildcard | Technical positioning, quiet efficiency | Overlooked because the Islanders rarely contend |
| Juuse Saros | Nashville Predators | Best sleeper | Steals points behind a thin roster | Workload has been heavy for years |
| Andrei Vasilevskiy | Tampa Bay Lightning | Proven playoff pedigree | Two Stanley Cups, 2019 Vezina winner | Recovering profile since 2023 back surgery |
| Jake Oettinger | Dallas Stars | Defensive-structure teams | Calm under pressure in deep playoff runs | Needs a strong system in front of him to shine |
1. Connor Hellebuyck: best NHL goalie right now for a proven regular-season anchor
Hellebuyck has won the Vezina Trophy twice, in 2020 and again in 2024, and the Winnipeg Jets' playoff hopes in 2026 run through him more than any single skater on the roster. He plays deep in his crease, trusts his positioning, and rarely gets rattled by a bad first period.
Hellebuyck pros:
- Two Vezina Trophies on the resume
- Handles a heavy regular-season workload without wearing down
- Elite lateral movement on second and third chances
Hellebuyck cons:
- Playoff performances have not matched his regular-season numbers in past runs
- Winnipeg's supporting cast puts extra weight on him in close games
Best for: teams and bettors who want the safest regular-season floor. Verdict: Buy.
2. Igor Shesterkin: best NHL goalie right now for a bounce-back playoff push
Shesterkin won the Vezina in 2022 and remains one of the most athletic goalies in the league when the Rangers are getting shots blocked in front of him. New York's 2026 push depends on him rediscovering that peak form under playoff pressure.
Shesterkin pros:
- Elite reflexes on high-danger, high-event chances
- Capable of stealing a series on his own
- Battle-tested in deep New York playoff runs
Shesterkin cons:
- Consistency has wavered since his 2022 peak
- Vulnerable when the Rangers' defense collapses in transition
Best for: bettors looking for a high-ceiling, high-variance play. Verdict: Hold.
3. Jeremy Swayman: best NHL goalie right now for a young workhorse bet
Swayman signed a long-term deal with Boston in 2024 and has carried a heavier share of the crease since. He's athletic, aggressive on rebounds, and still building the résumé that puts him alongside the league's elite.
Swayman pros:
- Signed long-term, no contract distraction
- Strong rebound control and post-to-post quickness
- Ascending workload with room to grow into a true number one
Swayman cons:
- Bruins' defense is mid-rebuild, exposing him to more clean looks
- Limited deep playoff sample size compared to older names on this list
Best for: fans betting on Boston's long-term direction rather than an immediate title push. Verdict: Hold.
4. Ilya Sorokin: best NHL goalie right now for the underrated wildcard pick
Sorokin rarely gets the national attention that Hellebuyck or Shesterkin does, mostly because the Islanders haven't been consistent playoff contenders. His technical game is as clean as anyone's in the league.
Sorokin pros:
- Quiet, technically sound positioning
- Handles high shot volume without panic
- Undervalued in most national conversations
Sorokin cons:
- Islanders' roster limits how much his play translates to wins
- Less playoff exposure than the names ranked above him
Best for: the reader who wants a value pick nobody else is talking about. Verdict: Buy.
5. Juuse Saros: best NHL goalie right now for stealing points on a thin roster
Saros has spent years single-handedly keeping Nashville in playoff contention, and 2026 is more of the same. He's undersized by NHL goalie standards but makes up for it with technical precision and competitiveness.
Saros pros:
- Consistently outperforms the roster in front of him
- Elite technical fundamentals despite smaller frame
- Battle-tested against heavy shot volume
Saros cons:
- Workload has been a long-term concern given how often Nashville leans on him
- Team scoring support remains inconsistent
Best for: bettors who want the classic overachiever narrative. Verdict: Buy.
6. Andrei Vasilevskiy: best NHL goalie right now for proven playoff pedigree
Vasilevskiy won the Vezina in 2019 and backstopped Tampa Bay to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. Back surgery in 2023 changed the conversation around his long-term durability, but the pedigree is unmatched on this list.
Vasilevskiy pros:
- Two Stanley Cup rings and a Vezina Trophy
- Track record of elevating his game specifically in the playoffs
- Experience closing out high-pressure series
Vasilevskiy cons:
- Recovery profile since the 2023 back surgery adds injury risk
- No longer the automatic top-three name he was in his peak years
Best for: anyone weighing playoff experience over regular-season flash. Verdict: Hold.
7. Jake Oettinger: best NHL goalie right now for a defensive-structure team
Oettinger has backstopped Dallas through multiple deep playoff runs, including Western Conference Finals appearances, and he does it with a calm, unbothered demeanor that fits a structured defensive system.
Oettinger pros:
- Deep playoff run experience already banked
- Composed in elimination-game pressure
- Strong rebound control behind a disciplined Dallas defense
Oettinger cons:
- Numbers depend heavily on Dallas' team defense staying intact
- Less flashy than the shot volume he actually faces
Best for: readers who trust system goalies over pure talent. Verdict: Wait.
How SportsOrca ranked the best NHL goalies right now
Each name on this list was weighed against the six criteria above: five-on-five reliability, workload, defensive support, playoff track record, contract stability, and team context. No goalie here is ranked purely on regular-season save totals — the order reflects who's actually swinging a 2026 playoff push, not who padded stats against a bad schedule.
Get more 2026 playoff coverage
Fresh matchup breakdowns and predictions as the standings tighten.
Which NHL goalie should you trust for the 2026 playoff push?
For the reader who wants one answer: Connor Hellebuyck is the safest pick among the best NHL goalies right now, backed by two Vezina Trophies and a Winnipeg roster built to lean on him. If you want variance with a higher ceiling, Igor Shesterkin and Juuse Saros both carry real bounce-back and overachiever upside heading into the stretch run.
“A goalie's regular-season numbers only matter if they survive the shift into playoff hockey.”
FAQ
Who are the best NHL goalies right now for the 2026 playoff push?
Connor Hellebuyck, Igor Shesterkin, Juuse Saros, and Andrei Vasilevskiy lead the group carrying real playoff-race weight in 2026. Hellebuyck grades out as the safest overall pick given his two Vezina Trophies and Winnipeg's reliance on him.
Is Connor Hellebuyck better than Igor Shesterkin right now?
Hellebuyck offers the steadier regular-season floor with two Vezina Trophies, while Shesterkin brings a higher ceiling when the Rangers are rolling. Bettors chasing consistency lean Hellebuyck; those chasing upside lean Shesterkin.
Why is Juuse Saros considered underrated?
Saros has spent years single-handedly keeping Nashville in playoff contention despite thin roster support around him. His technical fundamentals hold up against heavy shot volume, which is why he's a recurring value pick.
How does Andrei Vasilevskiy's injury history affect his 2026 outlook?
Vasilevskiy's 2023 back surgery added a durability question mark to an otherwise elite playoff résumé. His two Stanley Cup rings and 2019 Vezina Trophy still make him a trusted name when healthy.
Which goalies are playing in the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Several names on this list are expected to represent their countries at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, which adds a workload consideration to the NHL stretch run. Check the current international rosters closer to the tournament for confirmed lineups.
Is Jeremy Swayman a good bet for Boston's 2026 playoff chances?
Swayman is athletic and signed long-term, but Boston's rebuilding defense exposes him to more clean looks than a true contender's goalie usually faces. He's a hold, not a top-tier trust right now.
Does team defense matter more than goalie talent for playoff pushes?
Both matter, but a strong defensive system like Dallas' can make a good goalie look elite while a weak one can sink a talented goalie's numbers. Jake Oettinger's case shows how much system support shapes perception.
Who is the best sleeper pick among NHL goalies right now?
Ilya Sorokin is the clearest value pick, given how little national attention the Islanders' roster generates. His technical positioning and rebound control are as clean as any name higher on this list.
One last thing
The most overlooked factor in every 2026 playoff-push conversation isn't talent — it's workload. Saros and Hellebuyck have both logged heavy regular-season minutes for years, and how their teams manage starts down the final stretch will matter more than any single highlight-reel save.
