Ranking NHL’s top 5 goalie tandems heading into 2025-26 season ft. Winnipeg Jets

To win in the NHL, teams need to have a star goalie to lead them in the playoffs. However, with goalies playing fewer and fewer games, a tandem is key.

Entering the 2025-26 NHL season, multiple teams have a leg up on others in goaltending. Here are the top five goalie tandems entering the season.

NHL’s top 5 goalie tandems

#1 Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets have the best goalie tandem due to the fact that Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner, is their starter. Hellebuyck was just named the best goalie and the MVP last season.

Winnipeg's backup is Eric Comrie, who is one of the better backups in the NHL.

#2 Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cups in large part due to their starting goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky.

Bobrovsky is entering the final year of his deal, but he is still one of the best goalies in the NHL.

Florida also acquired Daniil Tarasov this offseason to be their backup. Tarasov went 7-10-2 with a 3.54 GAA and a .881 SV%, which isn't great. But Bobrovsky will play a ton, which makes the Panthers tandem one of the best in the NHL.

#3 New York Rangers

Igor Shesterkin is the Rangers' starting goalie - Source: Imagn

The New York Rangers failed to make the playoffs last season, which was a surprise. However, entering this season, New York is a threat, in large part due to its goaltending.

The Rangers have Igor Shesterkin as their starting goalie. He's one of the best in the NHL and will be backed up by Jonathan Quick.

Quick used to be one of the best goalies in the NHL, but has spent the last couple of years as a backup and mentor. The 39-year-old is a three-time Stanley Cup champion and won the Conn Smythe as the playoff MVP in 2012.

#4 Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning would have been atop this list years ago, as Andrei Vasilevskiy was a key reason why they won back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021. While Vasilevskiy's play has taken a step back, especially in the playoffs, the Russian is still one of the best goalies in the NHL.

Their backup is Jonas Johnansson, who's not special, but workable.

#5 Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are the definition of a tandem this season with Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll.

The Maple Leafs will have a more even split than other teams, who are expected to field their starting goalie in 50-60 games.

Stolarz and Woll should both play around 40 games, and both have the ability to be a No. 1 goalie.