In today’s NHL, teams rely on goalie tandems more than in the past when a No. 1 could start upwards of 65 games per season. Even though most teams still have a clear-cut No. 1 goalie, the best ones have a solid No. 2 to create formidable tandems.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers rode two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky to their first title last season. But Anthony Stolarz also stepped in to play a sizeable role and help give Florida an excellent 1-2 punch at the position.
For the previous three seasons, the Boston Bruins teamed Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman with great success, including a Presidents’ Trophy, Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed in the NHL and a Vezina Trophy for Ullmark all in 2022-23.
But what are the best goalie tandems in the NHL here in 2024-25? Let’s take a look.
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10. Joey Daccord & Philipp Grubauer – Seattle Kraken
Led by goalies Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer, the Seattle Kraken tied for eighth in the NHL last season, allowing 2.83 goals per game. After years in the minor leagues, Daccord emerged as the No. 1; but he has a solid veteran in Grubauer to share the net with.
9. Jacob Markstrom & Jake Allen — New Jersey Devils
After finishing tied for 26th in goals-against last season, the New Jersey Devils revamped their goaltending by acquiring veterans Jacob Markstrom (pictured) and Jake Allen to solidify the position. They have a combined 921 games of NHL experience, and Markstrom has been among the League’s best during his career, while Allen helped the St. Louis Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019.
8. Adin Hill & Ilya Samsonov – Vegas Golden Knights
Adin Hill (pictured) helped the Vegas Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023, and this season will be paired with Ilya Samsonov. There’ve been injury issues for each over the years, and Samsonov is seeking redemption after a poor run with the Toronto Maple Leafs. But this is a strong 1-2 punch.
7. Jordan Binnington & Joel Hofer — St. Louis Blues
Jordan Binnington, who backstopped the Blues run to the Stanley Cup in 2019, regained better form last season. And Joel Hofer is coming of an excellent rookie season, when he posted a .914 save percentage in 30 games.
6. Sergei Bobrovsky & Spencer Knight – Florida Panthers
Sergei Bobrovsky is one of the best and most decorated goalies in the world. He’s a Stanley Cup champion with two Vezina Trophies on his resume. It wasn’t long ago that Spencer Knight was the top goalie prospect in the NHL before personal issues got in the way of his ascent. With Anthony Stolarz now in Toronto with the Maple Leafs, it’s time for a healthy Knight to shine and once again become the heir apparent to Bobrovsky.
5. Jake Oettinger & Casey DeSmith – Dallas Stars
Though he regressed some last season, Jake Oettinger (pictured) remains one of the top young goalies in the NHL. He’s the clear-cut No. 1 with the Dallas Stars. But veteran Casey DeSmith, who had some good years with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks is a solid No. 2, as well.
4. Frederik Andersen & Pyotr Kochetkov – Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes should be in a good place with a 1a – 1b combination in net this season, should veteran Frederik Andersen remain healthy, something he wasn’t in 2023-24. Pyotr Kochetkov could be Carolina’s future, but he’s already an emerging piece in the present, as well.
3. Thatcher Demko & Arturs Silovs – Vancouver Canucks
This one comes with some leap of faith that Thatcher Demko (pictured) remains healthy. He was among the League’s best last season, but couldn’t answer the bell in the Stanley Cup Playoffs because of injury. Already, Demko is out to start the 2024-25 season with a knee issue, leaving the youngster Arturs Silovs to handle the No. 1 duties in goal.
2. Igor Shesterkin & Jonathan Quick – New York Rangers
Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick teamed up to help the New York Rangers allow the seventh fewest goals last season (2.76 per game) in their first season as partners. Shesterkin is, perhaps, the best goalie in the sport and the 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner. Quick is a three-time Stanley Cup champion who’s 38, but coming off a terrific bounce-back season and very comfortable in his role as the No. 2.
1. Ilya Sorokin & Semyon Varlamov – New York Islanders
The New York Islanders shell out $11 million per season on their goalie tandem, and it’s well worth it for a team that doesn’t score a lot and leans heavily on defense and goaltending to be a perennial playoff contender. Ilya Sorokin is coming off a down season and offseason back surgery, but was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2022-23. Semyon Varlamov is, perhaps, the best backup in the League and extremely capable to handle the No. 1 duties when Sorokin is hurt or slumping, like last season. The Russian netminders have been partners on Long Island since 2020-21.
