SPECIAL COLLABORATION
At mid-season, the sample becomes substantial enough to be able to predict the Vezina race. And if the trend continues, the same name could still be engraved there in 2025. Here are the top 10 NHL goaltenders after the first half of the season (minimum 21 games played).
1- Connor Hellebuyck, WIN (27-6-2 1,99 .928)
It’s a truly impressive season for the most recent Vezina Trophy champion. He injects a dose of confidence into the Jets every time he is in net. He is on track to record his best career efficiency rate and has a record of 9-1-1 in his last eleven games collecting three shutouts in the process.
2- Logan Thompson, WAS (19-2-3 2,23 .921)
With Charlie Lindgren on the sidelines, Thompson must, for the first time this season, assume the clear role of starting goalie. After a rare overtime defeat in relief, he is more than up to the task for the surprising Capitals. Will Team Canada regret leaving him out?
3- Jacob Markstrom, NJ (21-8-4 2.15 .913)
Only Hellebuyck plays more often than Markstrom this season in the NHL. The Devils needed stops from their goaltenders to regain their rhythm and the Allen/Markstrom duo is there. Markstrom has not allowed more than three goals in a game in his last fifteen starts, losing only twice during this streak.
4- Jake Oettinger, DAL (22-9-1 2.31 .912)
An outstanding student of the sport, Oettinger shows a lot of character in front of the cage of a seasoned team in Dallas. Is this the season he takes the next step forward to become an elite team? He’s well on his way to that with an active six-game winning streak before facing the Canadiens on Thursday in Dallas.
5- Filip Gustavsson, MIN (18-9-3 2.58 .914)
Slight drop in speed for the man who has become the man of confidence in Minnesota. Minor injuries certainly bothered him but nothing alarming for the man who brilliantly took the torch from Marc-André Fleury.
-6- Dustin Wolf, CAL (15-6-2 2,50 .916)
A rookie season well above expectations for Wolf who enters the race for the Calder Trophy. He took the time to do his classes and never seems overwhelmed by events. The Flames are at the heart of the pack in the West and the small goaltender is no stranger to it.
7- Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB (18-13-2 2.38 .913)
What’s left to say about the goaltender many believe is the best in the NHL for big games? We can add that while failing to break everything this season, he plays with consistency for a team which does not always demonstrate as much stability in its game as in the past.
8- Mackenzie Blackwood, COL (15-11-4 2,49 .920)
Chris MacFarland has finally found a number one goalie. Disappointed with the performances at the start of the campaign, the Avalanche GM did not hesitate to drastically change the face of his team, which is reaping the benefits. Blackwood built his confidence by facing several quality shots while in San Jose. He was able to translate this good work into victories once he moved to the Rockies.
9- Samuel Montembeault, MTL (16-15-3 2,88 .900)
Montembeault has gained in value in the eyes of some observers surveyed in recent weeks and he now clearly has a new label, that of number one goalie in the NHL. Whoever was selected to represent their country in the Four Nations Showdown could well be earning the starting job for Canada with a 7-2-1 record in their last ten starts.
10- Darcy Kuemper, LA (12-3-5 2.11 .923)
Injured in mid-November, Kuemper is the least busy of the goalkeepers on our list, barely reaching the limit to qualify. Since his return on December 7, he has suffered only one defeat in regulation time in eleven decisions behind a very solid team defensively.
At the bottom of the ranking: Shesterkin (NYR), Woll (TOR)
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