Playing for the U.S. at Sochi was a reason why Tim Thomas came back...and is now in the mix. (Jack Dempsey/AP)

By Allan Muir

Each week, we'll rank the top contenders to man the pipes for Team USA and Team Canada in Sochi based on their play to date. (All stats current as of Wed. Nov. 20)

Team USA

1. Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres

Former NHL netminder and current CBC commentator Kelly Hrudey had Miller at No. 1 on his NHL goalie rankings last week. Can't say I'd argue with him. This guy is such a proud athlete, he's practically willing the Sabres to be competitive. He was at his world-beating best against the Maple Leafs on Friday, stopping 32 of 33 in a 3-1 win. (Last week: 1)

2. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings

Luckily for the Kings and Team USA, Jonathan Quick's injury did not need surgery. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

A Grade 2 groin muscle strain like the one Quick suffered last week can take four to six weeks to heal, which is both bad news and good news. Bad because he might not see any game action between now and the Jan. 1 deadline for Olympic roster finalization; good because he should be healthy in plenty of time for Sochi. (Last week: 3)

3. Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning

Bishop's lackluster performance at the 2013 World Championships (3-2 with a 2.83 GAA and .876 save percentage) is being raised in conversations about his Olympic candidacy, but I'm not so sure that it will be seen as a strike against him. First, he showed up when his country called. That counts to USA Hockey. Second, despite a rough run in his last two outings (eight goals-against in losses to the Kings and Coyotes), he still leads all American goalies in wins (13) and save percentage (.927). David Poile won't dismiss stats like those. (Last week: 4)

4. Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings

Howard's starting to show the strain of playing behind Detroit's slipshod defense. He has just three wins in his last 15 starts, and has allowed three or more in 10 of them. It's not too late to turn it around, but Ben Bishop looks like a better option right now. (Last week: 2)

5. Tim Thomas, Florida Panthers

With Craig Anderson playing himself out of consideration and Cory Schneider not playing at all, Thomas is getting some dark horse buzz. At this point, he'd be fighting for the No. 3 role, but does it make sense to use that roster spot on a 39-year-old? Probably not, but it's never a good idea to count ol' Timmy out. (Last week: NR)

Team Canada

1. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

Price ran his streak of quality starts to four, dropping a hard luck 1-0 decision to the Rangers on Saturday, then delivering on his end of the bargain in an expected goalie duel with Josh Harding and the Wild, a 6-2 win on Tuesday night. (Last week: 1)

2. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks

Former NHL goaltender Kirk McLean called Luongo his "No. 1 choice" this week, and that opinion is gaining steam. "He has the experience and in something like this, that's going to be a big factor," McLean said. The Canadian brass may be thinking the same way. (Last week: 2)

3. Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild

After posting 14 quality starts, Harding finally got lit up Tuesday night by the Habs, allowing three goals on just 19 shots. It'll be interesting to see how he bounces back from his first taste of on-ice adversity. Smart money says he'll be fine. (Last week: 3)

4. Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes

There was a bit of Grant Fuhr in Smith's performance last week against three of the top teams in hockey. Though he allowed nine goals, he led the Coyotes to five of six points by making the big stops when he had to make them. The one blemish: a shootout loss to the Hawks that featured a 48-save performance. Can't ask for much more than that. (Last week: 4)

5. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks

Avalanche

(Last week: 5)