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In this edition of the hotstove, we rank the top-5 goaltenders in the Eastern Conference.
Todd Cordell
1. Andrei Vasilevskiy - Athletic freak who posts consistently strong numbers across the board. The only starter in the NHL to rank top-5 in save percentage above expected in each of the last two years, per MoneyPuck.com.
2. Tuukka Rask - Of the 29 netminders to play 80+ games over the last two seasons, exactly zero (0) have posted a higher 5v5 save percentage. Rask doesn’t need to do it often behind Boston’s stout defense but he is still very capable of stealing games.
3. Mackenzie Blackwood - I’m sure I’ll take a lot of heat for this one but, quite frankly, I don’t really care. Blackwood has managed a .916 save percentage over the last two seasons playing behind a horrendous defensive team in New Jersey. This past year, while taking on the role of starter in New Jersey, he ranked 3rd in high-danger save percentage and 4th in save percentage above average.
4. Carey Price - His numbers over the last three seasons haven’t been great. Of 53 eligible goaltenders, he ranks 30th in 5v5 SV% and 42nd(!) in high-danger SV%. Still, he showed flashes of his old self this past year and was particularly strong in the playoffs. I’ll give him the reputation ranking for another year.
5. Carter Hart - His overall numbers didn’t pop off the page in 2019-20 but he ranked 3rd in SV% above expectation, per MoneyPuck, and was very good for Philadelphia during the playoffs. I wanted to rank Igor Shesterkin here – I think he is as talented as anybody in the league – but I’ll make him play more than 13 total games before he earns a spot.
Sean Maloughney
1.) Andrei Vasilevskiy - Elite goaltender for an elite team. Led the league last season with 35 wins which is a category he has won for the past three straight seasons.
2.) Tuukka Rask - Finished last season with a 0.929 SV% and through his career he has only had one season below 0.915 which occurred in 18/19 with a 0.912SV%.
3.) Joonas Korpisalo - Stepping into a starter role this season showed the league how good Korp actually was. A brilliant post-season where he posted a 0.941SV% was almost enough to propel the Blue Jackets past the Lightning once again
4.) Carter Hart - The 22 year old had some struggles but is turning into the elite goaltender that Philly hoped he would become when they drafted him. 2.42GAA and a 0.914SV% helps place him here.
5.) Tristan Jarry - Only played 31 games but he was incredible in those appearances with a 9.21SV%. The Penguins felt comfortable enough with him to move Murray and I think their confidence is warranted
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com and MoneyPuck.com
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