Vezina Trophy Power Rankings: Varlamov standing on his head for Avs
Scoring is up across the league to begin the year, but that doesn't mean goaltenders haven't been posting monster numbers. Here are the early front-runners for the Vezina Trophy after the first month of the 2018-19 NHL season.
5. Jaroslav Halak, Boston Bruins
He's not the Bruins goalie you might expect to make this list, but through six games this season Jaroslav Halak is playing incredibly well.
The veteran netminder was brought in to be Tuukka Rask's backup, and now he's stolen starts while going 4-0-2 with a .947 save percentage and a 1.51 goals-against average, putting him second and first in those categories, respectively, among goalies who have appeared in at least five games this season.
If he can maintain that level of play, which has also included two shutouts, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy will face a very difficult decision.
4. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
Andrei Vasilevskiy has been nearly perfect to begin the season, posting a 6-1-1 record through eight games.
Following a 2017-18 campaign that ended with Vasilevskiy receiving his first career Vezina Trophy nomination, it appears the 24-year-old could once again contend for the award. He's posted a 1.98 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage, marks that rank third and sixth league-wide.
The Lightning's offense is beginning to hit its stride, which will make Vasilevskiy's job easier. He could hit the 40-win plateau for the second straight year.
3. Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild
The Wild sit just two points outside of the top spot in the Central Division, even though the club is averaging the ninth-fewest goals per game.
Devan Dubnyk has been a rock between the pipes and is driving the team's success. The 32-year-old has recorded a goals-against average of 2.19 and a .937 save percentage. He's given up two or fewer goals in six of his nine games played. Even more impressively, Dubnyk has also faced the third-most shots in the league.
If he keeps this up, Minnesota should earn its seventh straight postseason berth.
2. John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
No goalie has faced more rubber than John Gibson, with an average of 38.4 shots per game directed his way. He appears to be the sole reason for the Ducks still being within reach of the Pacific Division lead.
Opposing teams are outshooting Anaheim by roughly 14 shots per game this season, but the Ducks are still just three points back of the division-leading San Jose Sharks. Gibson's 9.38 goals saved above average leads the league, and he's also produced a league-leading 84 high-danger saves, which is 26 more than the next-closest goalie.
Few players have been more valuable to their team than Gibson. He could be in the running for the Hart Trophy if he can drag the Ducks into the playoffs.
1. Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche
Semyon Varlamov has faced 262 shots over his first eight games of the season, and just 13 pucks have gone past him.
He's the league's save-percentage leader with a mark of .950, and Varlamov ranks fifth in 5-on-5 high-danger save percentage. His stellar play is helping the Avalanche challenge for the top spot in the crowded Central Division.
Colorado brought in former Washington Capitals backup Philipp Grubauer this offseason, with the hope he would challenge for the starting role. But after Varlamov's scorching start, it appears the net is his until further notice.
(Analytics courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)