When it comes to the top goaltenders in the NHL this season, only one name is consistently mentioned: Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
This should not come as a surprise, considering what he has done so far this season. As of this writing (Monday night, February 24), Hellebuyck, 31, is 34-7-0-2 with a 2.06 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage, and six shutouts.
While Hellebuyck will more than likely win his third Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender this season, there is another goaltender in the league who deserves some love and that is Tampa Bay Lightning masked man Andrei Vasilevskiy. He may not win the Vezina this season, but there is no doubt that Vasilevskiy has been one of the league’s best goaltenders this year.
For starters, Vasilevskiy, 30, has outstanding numbers. He is currently 26-15-0-3 with a 2.29 goals-against average, a .920 save percentage, and three shutouts.
Let’s take a look at where Vasilevskiy’s statistics rank amongst goaltenders so far this season:
- 26 wins (third in the league)
- 2.29 goals-against average (15th in the league)
- .920 save percentage (10th in the league)
- Three shutouts (Tied for fifth in the league)
- 2,598:39 minutes of ice time (First in the league)
- 1,232 shots against (First in the league)
- 1,134 saves (First in the league)
Secondly, Vasilevskiy continues to show both his team and the rest of the league that when he is between the pipes, the Lightning are an extremely tough team to beat. Thanks to Vasilevskiy, the team is currently (As of Monday night, February 24) third in the Atlantic Division, sixth in the Eastern Conference, and 11th in the NHL with a 32-20-4 record for 68 points.
The Lightning are currently on a five-game winning streak, all of which have been started by Vasilevskiy. Here is what he has done over his last five starts:
- Tuesday, February 4 vs. the Ottawa Senators: Stopped 25 of 28 shots and got the win. (.893 save percentage)
- Thursday, February 6 vs. the Senators: Stopped 27 of 28 shots and got the win. (.964 save percentage)
- Saturday, February 8 vs. the Detroit Red Wings: Stopped 34 of 37 shots and got the win. (.919 save percentage)
- Sunday, February 9 vs. the Montreal Canadiens: Stopped 32 of 35 shots and got the win. (.914 save percentage)
- Sunday, February 23 vs. the Seattle Kraken: Stopped 36 of 37 shots and got the win. (.973 save percentage)
Another reason why Vasilevskiy has been so good this season is because he has always been an elite goaltender. He is someone who comes up with a big save when his team needs one, he does not allow a lot of soft goals, he is a goaltender who gives the rest of his team confidence, and is someone who does all the little things that are needed to be one of the game’s best goaltenders.
What is remarkable is the things that Vasilevskiy has already accomplished in his career before turning 31 this upcoming summer:
- Two Stanley Cups (2020 and 2021)
- Conn Smythe Trophy as the league’s most valuable player in the postseason (2021)
- Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender (2019)
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game (2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023)
- NHL First All-Star Team (2019 and 2021)
With all of that in mind, no one should be surprised that Vasilevskiy is one of the league’s best goaltenders this season. He may not win the Vezina Trophy this season, but do not be surprised if he ends up being a finalist for it when all is said and done.
ITR 27: Trade Season Begins – Inside The Rink
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