When looking at NHL player salaries, there’s one anomaly that stands out above all others: Only two of the league’s 30 highest-paid players are goaltenders. This is despite the reality that NHL netminders arguably have more of an impact on their team’s success than any other position player in North American professional sports.

Case in point: Two netminders who changed teams this season proved to be huge difference-makers for their new teams. In Phoenix, the November arrival of Ilya Bryzgalov (claimed off waivers) transformed the Coyotes to contender from pretender. And come next season, look for Phoenix to take another large step forward with Bryzgalov between the pipes from day one.

Even more impactful has been Washington Capitals goaltender Cristobal Huet, whose arrival at the trade deadline coincided almost exactly with a late surge that has the Caps tied with Carolina atop the Southeast Division (the Hurricanes hold the tiebreaker, and each team has two games remaining). Without Huet, it’s doubtful that the Caps would find themselves in this position. And from a fiscal perspective, it seems only a matter of time before teams start reversing their investments, so that the money starts in goal and moves outward, rather than the other way around.

Statistically, teams are measured from left to right by games played, won-loss record, standings points, goals scored, goals allowed, power play success, and penalty-killing success. Please note that the data is up to and including games played on Tuesday night, and that our statistics for special teams effectiveness also take shorthanded goals into account. Each team’s ranking from last week appears in parentheses.

1. Detroit Red Wings (1): After missing a week with the flu, Dominik Hasek is back, and he’s expected to take over the starting role in goal for the postseason. The injury-prone 43-year-old is the Wings’ biggest question mark.

G REC PTS GS GA PP% PK%

79 52–20–7 111 243 170 18.77% 85.84%

2. San Jose Sharks (2): With 16 points in 18 games since the trade deadline, captain Patrick Marleau is back on track, no doubt relieved that he wasn’t dealt. Not coincidentally, the Sharks have gone 16–0–2 during Marleau’s resurgence.

80 49–21–10 108 212 179 15.85% 87.58%

3. Pittsburgh Penguins (4): He doesn’t get much press attention on a team laden with stars, but hard-hitting blueliner Brooks Orpik has been one of the most important contributors to the Pens’ success.

80 46–26–8 100 236 208 17.31% 82.47%

4. Montreal Canadiens (3): Captain Saku Koivu has been sidelined with a fractured bone in his foot, but if he’s able to put on his skate boot without debilitating pain, he’ll be in the lineup when the playoffs begin.

80 45–25–10 100 251 214 23.48% 84.78%

5. Anaheim Ducks (5): With five points in his last seven games, Scott Niedermayer is rounding into top form just in time for the Ducks’ Cup defense.

80 45–27–8 98 191 179 14.76% 85.11%

6. New Jersey Devils (6): With five points in his last three games (and a plus-three rating), Patrik Elias is re-emerging as the scoring threat the Devils desperately needed.

79 44–28–7 95 194 186 13.87% 84.54%

7. Minnesota Wild (11): Marian Gaborik has set career highs in goals (40) and assists (40), but — most importantly of all — he has managed to remain healthy.

80 43–28–9 95 214 206 15.55% 86.73%

8. Dallas Stars (8): Top defenseman Sergei Zubov suffered a setback in his recovery from a foot injury, and it appears that he will be unable to suit up when the playoffs begin.

79 43–29–7 93 227 196 16.32% 89.47%

9. New York Rangers (9): With a team-leading seven game-winning goals, Chris Drury is making good on his advance billing as a clutch performer.

79 41–27–11 93 197 185 15.30% 85.29%

10. Philadelphia Flyers (12): Daniel Briere has been the Flyers’ most consistent scoring threat in March (16 points in 14 games). Concerns about his minus-23 rating have eased a bit.

79 40–28–11 91 238 223 20.70% 87.03%

11. Boston Bruins (15): Playmaking center Marc Savard has been sensational this season, tallying an Eastern Conference-leading 63 assists as the Bruins’ top-line center.

79 40–28–11 91 202 209 15.76% 81.60%

12. Ottawa Senators (7): The Sens’ spot in the postseason is all but assured, but the downward spiral they’ve been on since mid-November doesn’t bode well for their Cup chances.

80 42–30–8 92 249 238 16.25% 84.95%

13. Calgary Flames (10): Playing in Alberta does little for his Q-rating, but two-way defenseman Dion Phaneuf has quietly put together a Norris Trophy-caliber season.

80 41–29–10 92 218 220 14.37% 83.95%

14. Colorado Avalanche (16): Sniper Milan Hejduk is on fire, scoring six goals in his last six games to help Colorado sew up a playoff spot.

81 43–31–7 93 221 213 12.65% 82.15%

15. Carolina Hurricanes (13): Matt Cullen, Justin Williams, and Ray Whitney have been activated from injured reserve this week — will it be enough to help stave off the Caps?

80 42–32–6 90 241 240 15.56% 80.17%

16. Washington Capitals (18): Alexander Ovechkin has been stellar, but the Caps’ late playoff push is owed even more to goaltender Huet (9–2, .933 SV%, 1.75 GAA).

80 41–31–8 90 231 225 16.57% 81.82%

17.Nashville Predators (17): A come-from-behind win over the Blues on Tuesday night pushed the Preds one point ahead of the Canucks for the West’s final playoff spot.

80 40–31–9 89 223 219 12.46% 87.05%

18. Vancouver Canucks (14): Playing behind the Canucks’ popgun offense is clearly wearing on tired goaltender Roberto Luongo, who is slumping at the worst possible time.

80 39–31–10 88 205 197 15.32% 84.85%

19. Buffalo Sabres (20): Teppo Numminen has been cleared to play six months after open-heart surgery, and his return will surely give the team an emotional lift.

80 38–30–12 88 247 230 15.36% 85.93%

20. Chicago Blackhawks (21): In a clear sign that the franchise has moved into the 21st century, the ‘Hawks announced this week that all regular-season and playoff games will be televised for at least the next three seasons.

79 38–33–8 84 224 224 13.92% 86.52%

21.Edmonton Oilers (19): On Tuesday night, the Oilers’ dramatic late push for a playoff spot ended when they were defeated at home by their bitter rivals, the Calgary Flames.

81 40–35–6 86 218 246 13.53% 86.59%

22. Florida Panthers (22): They might be eliminated from the postseason, but the Panthers can play the role of spoiler in two final games against Carolina and Washington.

80 37–34–9 83 206 214 18.12% 83.29%

23. Toronto Maple Leafs (24): A groin tear has ended captain Mats Sundin’s season: Is it possible that he’s played his final game as a member of the Leafs?

80 36–33–11 83 225 245 15.82% 79.29%

24. Phoenix Coyotes (23): The Coyotes signed 2007 first-round pick Kyle Turris to an entry-level contract earlier this week. He’ll make his NHL debut tonight against the Stars.

79 37–36–6 80 201 217 15.02% 83.95%

25. Columbus Blue Jackets (25): The Blue Jackets are well above .500 when young franchise goalie Pascal Leclaire is tending the pipes (24–15–6), a good sign indeed.

79 34–33–12 80 187 200 13.70% 85.91%

26. New York Islanders (26): Talented puck-moving defenseman Jack Hillen signed a two-year deal with the Isles this week.

80 34–37–9 77 186 234 10.15% 84.17%

27. St. Louis Blues (27): Backup netminder Hannu Toivonen and the Blues failed in the role of spoiler on Tuesday, squandering a 3–0 lead over the Predators to lose 4–3 in overtime.

79 31–35–13 75 193 228 9.91% 84.86%

28. Atlanta Thrashers (28): It’s been an ugly year for the Thrashers, but the bounty they received in return for Marian Hossa at the deadline should help them turn things around.

81 33–40–8 74 203 265 13.42% 82.67%

29. Tampa Bay Lightning (29): Serious offseason remodeling will be required in order for this off-balance franchise to re-emerge as a playoff contender.

79 31–39–9 71 217 252 16.55% 84.46%

30. Los Angeles Kings (30): Seven goaltenders have suited up for the Kings this year, and the defense is a combined minus-78. It’s no surprise that they’re the league’s worst team.

80 31–42–7 69 219 257 16.67% 81.76%

Mr. Greenstein is the editor in chief of InsideHockey.com.