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At playoff time, it's really nice to believe in your goalie. It has to be a good feeling to look to your crease and not have any questions about whether or not that masked man can handle the task at hand. It definitely provides an air of calm in a nervous time.

I bring this up because the good folks at ESPN.com have asked me to rank the playoff goalies. Now, I could just list the guys in terms of their save percentage (and other such numbers), but that would be too easy, right? Instead, I've chosen to offer a more subjective list. I'm going to base my rankings on this very unscientific method: How comfortable do I feel when I look at my guy in the crease. Yeah, I will hit you with a few stats along the way, but I'm looking at how much confidence he gives his team.

1. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils

He's tanned, rested and ready. His elbow surgery forced him to the sidelines for four months. Maybe the extra rest will do him good in the postseason. The guy has won three Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold medal. And, oh yeah, he holds the all-time wins record, too. I know he has struggled in recent playoff campaigns, and, at 36, there might be some that are better. Still, I can't imagine being any more comfortable about a goalie in a big game.

2. Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

The Michigan native doesn't have the postseason experience of many of his peers, but there aren't many stoppers who are more competitive than him. He has become the face (or mask) of the franchise in Boston. And it certainly doesn't bother me that he led the league with a 2.10 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage.

3. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks

Luongo is another guy who doesn't have a ton of playoff experience. The Canucks' captain does have a lot of other attributes going for him. Most importantly, he seems to have the ability to intimidate shooters. He's a lanky guy who looks very big in the net. He had nine shutouts and a .920 save percentage.

4. Nikolai Khabibulin, Chicago Blackhawks

I like goalies with Stanley Cup-winning experience. Khabibulin got it done for the Lightning in 2004. The Hawks figured they were going to move on without him after they signed free agent Cristobal Huet. They put the guy on waivers during the preseason. Luckily for them, he wasn't claimed by another club. By season's end, he edged his way back into the No. 1 spot. He finished this season with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.

5. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

King Henrik hasn't won a Cup, but he backstopped Sweden to an Olympic gold medal in 2006. He's been rock solid for the Rangers since arriving on Broadway for the 2005-06 season. After a strong start, Lundqvist was just good down the stretch. That's still better than most.

6. Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes

As a rookie, Ward backstopped the Hurricanes to the franchise's first Stanley Cup in 2006, picking up the Conn Smythe Trophy along the way. This season, after a pair of substandard seasons, Ward is special again.

7. Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks

Nabokov is another solid stopper. He might be carrying the biggest burden into this year's playoffs. The Sharks enjoyed a great season and many expect them to finally get over the playoff hump and take a trip to the Cup finals. To get there, Nabokov will have to be strong. I think he's capable of getting the job done.

8. Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets

You can expect to hear Mason's name called in Las Vegas when the league announces the winner of its Calder Trophy awarded to the season's top rookie. Mason was crazy good in his freshman season, posting 10 shutouts, and finished second with a 2.29 goals-against average. He reminds me of a young Tom Barrasso, who was another lanky lefty (who wears the catching glove on his right hand). This guy looks like he's going to be good for a long time.

9. Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames

Kipper got the Flames to the Cup finals in 2004 before falling to the Lightning in a decisive Game 7. He has been a workhorse for the Flames this season, leading the league with 45 wins and 76 appearances. He's probably higher on your list, but this isn't your list. I'm comfortable in this slot. Of course, if he engineers a playoff series win over the Hawks, I will happily reconsider.

10. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins

The first overall pick in 2003, Fleury led the Penguins to the Cup finals last spring, falling in a six-game series to Detroit. He has shown flashes of brilliance during the first part of his career. I think there's a lot of upside to his game. I'd be curious to see how he'd perform in a decisive Game 7. Maybe we'll find out this spring.

11. Jonas Hiller/Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim Ducks

The Swiss-born stopper has done a terrific job picking up the slack for Giguere, who struggled through a tough season. Hiller doesn't have any playoff experience; then again, neither did Patrick Roy when he led the Habs to a title in 1986. I'm not comparing Hiller to Roy, but saying experience is not a prerequisite for postseason success. If Hiller struggles, it's really nice to have a Cup winner waiting on the bench.

12. Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings

I would have pushed Osgood higher up my list if he hadn't stumbled so often during the regular season. Still, I believe he'll rebound with a strong effort in the playoffs. He has a ton of experience and doesn't get rattled. And, really, if you want to criticize him, you'll have to yell. He might have two of his three Cup rings in his ears.

13. Martin Biron, Philadelphia Flyers

First things first … I love Marty Biron! He's among the best guys you'll meet on the NHL circuit. I'd like nothing more to have him backstop a long playoff run in Philly. He did a great job during the first two rounds last spring. Still, I'm not sure he can get it done. We'll see.

14. Chris Mason, St. Louis Blues

After a dreadful start, Mason found his game in January. He has been lights-out terrific ever since. I just wonder: Is the bubble going to burst? If I were making a list of top goalie beards, Mason would be No. 1 with a bullet.

15. Carey Price/Jaroslav Halak, Montreal Canadiens

You have to feel for Price. The fifth overall pick in the 2005 draft, he is expected to be the club's goaltending savior in hockey-mad Montreal. He is expected to be the next Patrick Roy or Ken Dryden. Those are some big skates to fill. Price struggled down the stretch and doesn't radiate confidence right now. Maybe he'll surprise. Or, maybe, GM/coach Bob Gainey will turn to Halak, who enjoyed some good moments during the season.

16. Jose Theodore, Washington Capitals

Did you see Game 1 of the Capitals-Rangers series? Enough said.

E.J. Hradek covers hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.