Holmqvist still No. 1?

He has improved, but it's unclear who will be next year's top goalie.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published April 23, 2007

TAMPA - Johan Holmqvist is a much better goaltender than he was at the start of the season.

Said so himself, as did goaltenders coach Jeff Reese.

"Technically, he's more patient," Reese said. "He has adjusted to the speed of the game."

But did he prove he is next season's No. 1?

"I hope I proved I could play," Holmqvist said after making 23 saves Sunday. "It's been a pretty good year, but I don't know."

Neither does John Tortorella.

"There's more to be answered," the coach said. "You don't just deem a guy No. 1. He has to gain some experience, and I think this is a huge building block for him. We'll just see how it goes in training camp."

Holmqvist, 28, showed some brilliance while going 27-15-3, and his ability to put bad games behind him demonstrates a strong will. But he needs to be more consistent, evinced by his .893 save percentage.

And he has to be more cognizant of his positioning. He was burned numerous times on short-side goals to the glove side. It happened again Sunday when Brian Gionta picked a corner on what was a stoppable wing shot for a 1-0 first-period lead.

But there also was this: a terrific save on Patrik Elias, alone in front of the net with 1:51 left in the first, to preserve a 1-0 deficit; and his dramatic save on Travis Zajac's breakaway with 1:22 left in the second to keep it 3-2.

Quite a difference from Game 1 when he admitted his emotions got the best of him and he allowed three questionable goals in a 5-3 defeat.

"It was like I wanted to do well too much, instead of going out there and being relaxed and enjoying it," he said. "I was too pumped up."

While New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur was loose.

"To see how relaxed he is is a good experience for me," Holmqvist said. "It's something I'm learning, too."

Holmqvist, who made $600,000, is an unrestricted free agent. Assuming Marc Denis is not in the team's plans, Holmqvist is, for now, Tampa Bay's only NHL-tested goalie.

"He had a great year," defenseman Dan Boyle said. "Other than that first game, he showed he could be a No. 1 guy. He proved it to the rest of us when he withstood that pressure."

Holmqvist said he just wants a chance to exhale.

"Right now I feel kind of empty," he said. "The season is over. It's tough. I don't know what's going to happen. But I know I can play this kind of game."

[Last modified April 22, 2007, 23:15:32]