The race for the Vezina Trophy is wide open this year! With key goalies sidelined by injuries, the competition for the NHL's top netminder is fiercer than ever. Let's dive into the advanced stats from NHL EDGE to see who's making a splash.
Recent injuries to star goalies like Connor Hellebuyck, the back-to-back Vezina winner and last season's Hart Trophy recipient, as well as Andrei Vasilevskiy and Scott Wedgewood, have thrown the goalie landscape into a whirlwind. But don't count Hellebuyck out just yet; he could still re-enter the race upon his return from knee surgery.
Now, let's look at some of the top contenders who are stepping up to fill the void:
Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals: Thompson, who finished fourth in Vezina voting last season, is continuing his strong performance. He boasts an impressive .880 high-danger save percentage, ranking second in the league. He also shines with a .938 5-on-5 save percentage, positioning him as a formidable force. Thompson has also recorded 16 starts with a save percentage above .900, tying for second-most in the league.
Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders: Sorokin, the Vezina Trophy runner-up in 2023, is proving his mettle. Since joining the NHL in 2020-21, he's tied with Hellebuyck for the most shutouts, with 25 each, achieved in 38 fewer games. Over the past six seasons, Sorokin's save percentage of .916 places him among the league's elite. This season, he leads the NHL in high-danger saves, with 185.
Spencer Knight, Chicago Blackhawks: Knight is the season's surprise breakout star. He's ranked third in save percentage at .916 among goalies with at least 20 games played. His high-danger save percentage is at .871. He's also exceptional in close-game situations, with a .953 5-on-5 save percentage.
But here's where it gets controversial... The current voting system since the 1981-82 season has rarely favored goalies from non-playoff teams. Do you think this system is fair, or should individual performance be the sole criterion? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
