In no particular order, here are seven candidates that — by virtue of their play halfway through the 2014-15 season — could take home the award for the top goalie in the NHL.
Roberto Luongo — 16 wins, 2.23 GAA, .926 SP, 2 SO
My, what a difference a change of scenery makes. Following his much-publicized divorce with the Vancouver Canucks, Bobby Lu has returned to Sunrise, Fla. and his play is the reason why the Panthers are still in the playoff mix at this point in the season.
Consider this: The Panthers are 25th in the league in goals per game average, but 12th in goals-against per game. Plus – the team has won five of the 10 shootouts (a league-high) they’ve played in. Getting the team to extra time = extra points!
Highlight of 2014-15 season: The never-ending shootout.
Pekka Rinne — 27 wins, 2.00 GAA, .929 SP, 3 SO
The Predators puck-stopper has rebounded in a big way after his 2013-14 season was derailed by hip surgery and subsequent infection. ‘Smashville’ seems to be playoff-bound and could make some serious noise with a healthy Rinne in the blue paint. Hopefully he spends more time in the blue paint and avoids big hits like this one.
Highlight of 2014-15 season: No vision, no problem.
Carey Price — 22 wins, 2.20 GAA, ,927 SP, 2 SO
Following his early departure from the Stanley Cup playoffs thanks to this collision with Chris Kreider in the Eastern Conference final, the Habs netminder seems no worse for wear. In fact as the video below shows, he seems to be in top-flight form. (Get it? Top flight?)
Highlight of 2014-15 season: “Superman? Non, Carey Price.”
Marc-Andre Fleury — 20 wins, 2.20 GAA, .925 SP, 6 SO
While often criticized for post-season meltdowns, Fleury has pieced together quite the regular season campaign thus far — he leads the league in shutouts and boasts a very attractive goals-against and save percentage. Fleury also celebrated his 300th career win this season. Here’s Craig Adams helping Fleury celebrate by blinding him for a short period of time! What a fun teammate!
Highlight of 2014-15 season: A lil’ leather larceny
Jimmy Howard — 16 wins, 2.08 GAA, .921 SP, 2 SO
Don’t let the low win total fool you — the Red Wing has the stats to back up the fact that he’s been one of the top goaltenders in the league so far this season.
Highlight of 2014-15 season: Big glove stop on Turris
Henrik Lundqvist — 15 wins, 2.08 GAA, .921 SV%, 2 SO
The 2012 Vezina winner has started out slow the past couple of seasons but he’s defintely rounding into form, helping the defending Eastern Conference champions post an eight-game win streak and climb back into a tight playoff race.
Highlight of 2014-15 season: Post-to-post? No problem.
Corey Crawford — 16 wins, 2.19 GAA, .921 SP, 1 SO
Despite his unfortunate “off-ice incident” that kept him out of the lineup for nearly three weeks, he’s been a solid final line of defence for an offensively-explosive Blackhawks team.
Highlight of 2014-15 season: Bottom of the skate save? Yeah, that’s a thing.
(He used the same part of his gear to rob the Habs last season, too.)
