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Monday, April 29
Updated: April 29, 7:16 PM ET
 
Goalies: Montreal vs. Carolina

By Darren Pang
Special to ESPN.com

Jose Theodore, Montreal Canadiens
Jose Theodore
Goaltender
Montreal Canadiens
Profile
2001-2002 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L T SV% GAA
67 30 24 10 .931 2.11
2002 PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND
GM W L GA SV% GAA
6 4 2 17 .919 2.84
His head: He is strong, confident and has an edge to his mental game. I can't wait to see him in a seven-game playoff series.

His hands: He catches with the wrong one, but other than that has tremendous quickness. He's the best little goalie in Montreal since Rogie Vachon.

His feet: His lateral movement is as good as anyone's. He's typical of the new breed of goalie -- he can explode with his push off, even while on one knee.

His stick: He transitions easily into handling and shooting the puck, although it seems his defense would rather have it behind the net to set up shop. He's not a big pokechecker and plays more conservative.

His technique: He has a tight, compact stance that gives the shooter reason to believe there is more room than there is -- he gives it, then takes it away.

Kevin Weekes, Carolina
Kevin Weekes
Goaltender
Carolina Hurricanes
Profile

2001-2002 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L T SV% GAA
21 5 9 0 .916 2.72
2002 PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND
GM W L GA SV% GAA
4 2 0 4 .964 1.17
His head: He has never been tested at this level, so the jury is out. Many folks who have played with him tell me he's calm under fire.

His hands: He's got good positioning, has quick reflexes and keeps his hands out in front of his body.

His feet: He has quick feet when he's in his stance, but his lateral movement still needs to get better for this level.

His stick: He's not very aggressive with his stick. He likes to keep things simple for his defensemen.

His technique: He plays a combination of butterfly with upright body positioning. He keeps his arms tight against his body. His long legs cover a lot of net and make him seem taller than he is.

Arturs Irbe, Carolina
Arturs Irbe
Goaltender
Carolina Hurricanes
Profile
2001-2002 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L T SV% GAA
50 20 19 10 .901 2.56
2002 PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND
GM W L GA SV% GAA
4 2 2 7 .919 2.39
His head: A leader on and off the ice. Will not be intimidated by opposing goalie. Has mental strength and stamina to go four rounds.

His hands: He has quick hands, keeps them in front of his body to cushion shots. Good hand/eye coordination.

His feet: Wears the oldest pads in the NHL.They are to his liking. Can butterfly to both posts and covers more net than you think for a smaller guy.

His stick: Not going to the Hall of Fame as a puckhandler, but like most Europeans, has a quick stick in tight for pokechecks.

His technique: Makes himself as large as possible. Stays on his feet as long as he can, reads the shot, then reacts.

Darren Pang, a former goaltender with the Chicago Blackhawks, is a hockey analyst for ESPN.

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