Minnesota Wild preview; ranking the Northwest Division goaltenders

August 19, 8:26 AMMinnesota Wild ExaminerJoseph Gunther

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Niklas Backstrom (right) is one of the best goaltenders in the Northwest Division. (AP Photo)

The Northwest Division has some of the best goaltenders in the NHL.

There is a lot of experience in those goaltenders. Four of the five starters in the division are at least 30-years-old. The division newest starter, Nikolai Khabibulin, began his NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets.

Here are the Northwest Division goaltender rankings.

No. 5 - Nikolai Khabibulin. The Edmonton Oilers' new starter posted a 25-8-7 record with a 2.33 goals against average and .919 save percentage with the Chicago Blackhawks. He played a platoon role until taking the reigns in the playoffs. He backstopped the Blackhawks to the Western Conference finals. He is entering his 14th season in the NHL and his play is starting to show his age.

No. 4 - Roberto Luongo. The Vancouver Canucks' starter posted a 33-13-7 record while helping the Canucks win the Northwest Division last season. He had a 2.34 goals against average and .920 save percentage. He was once hailed as the NHL's next great goaltender, but an injury and inconsistent play have marred most of his career. He has 47 career shutouts, which leads all goaltenders in the Northwest Division. He is entering his ninth season in the NHL while playing for three teams.

No. 3 - Josh Harding. The Minnesota Wild's backup has shown he could be a starter in the NHL. He posted a 3-9-1 record, but had a 2.21 goals against average and .924 save percentage. Both his goals against average and save percentage, albeit in limited action, are better than the five starters in the division. He posted the best single game performance by a goaltender in the NHL with a 44-save victory over the Blackhawks on Feb. 22. He is entering his third season in the NHL.

No. 2 Miikka Kiprusoff. The Calgary Flames' starter was rated as the No. 2 Finnish player and top Finnish goaltender in NHL.com's ranking by country. He led all NHL goaltenders in wins with 45 and had a 2.84 goals against average and .903 save percentage. He will benefit from the Flames' change to a defensive system.

No. 1 Niklas Backstrom. The Minnesota Wild's starter was a Vezina Trophy finalist while finishing in the top five among NHL goaltenders in wins, goals against average, save percentage and shutouts. He posted a 37-24-8 record with a 2.33 goals against average, .923 save percentage and eight shutouts. He was the only goaltender in the NHL to finish in the top five of those four categories. Some have been wondering if his success was due to the system. He has a chance to prove just how good he is this season in an attacking system. He is entering his fourth NHL season.