Top 10 Goalies in the NHL
A personal look at the best goaltenders in the league
Introduction
As a lifelong hockey fan and amateur goaltender, I have always been fascinated by the art of goaltending. In the NHL, the best goaltenders are crucial to their team’s success, and their performances can often make the difference between winning and losing. In this article, I will be taking a personal look at the top 10 goaltenders in the NHL, based on statistics, expert opinion, and my own personal experiences and preferences.
Top Statistics and Facts
- The average save percentage for NHL goaltenders during the 2020-21 regular season was .908
- The most shutouts in a single season by a goaltender is 22, achieved by Martin Brodeur in the 2006-07 season
- Henrik Lundqvist holds the record for most wins by a European-born goaltender, with 459
- Carey Price won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goaltender in the 2014-15 season
- The most goals scored by a goaltender in a single season is 3, achieved by Ron Hextall in the 1987-88 season
- Goaltenders are often considered the most superstitious players on a hockey team
Top 10 Goalies in the NHL
After careful consideration, these are my top 10 goaltenders in the NHL:
- Andrei Vasilevskiy – Tampa Bay Lightning
- Connor Hellebuyck – Winnipeg Jets
- Tuukka Rask – Boston Bruins
- Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens
- Marc-Andre Fleury – Vegas Golden Knights
- Ben Bishop – Dallas Stars
- Frederik Andersen – Toronto Maple Leafs
- Jordan Binnington – St. Louis Blues
- Darcy Kuemper – Arizona Coyotes
- Robin Lehner – Chicago Blackhawks
Expert Opinion
It’s not just my personal opinion that matters when it comes to ranking the top goaltenders in the NHL. Here’s what some experts have to say:
Andrei Vasilevskiy is the best goaltender in the NHL right now. He’s got everything – size, athleticism, mental toughness. He’s a true franchise goaltender. – Kevin Woodley, NHL.com goaltending expert
Connor Hellebuyck is a workhorse for the Jets and has been consistently excellent for several seasons now. He’s arguably the most valuable player on his team. – InGoal Magazine
Marc-Andre Fleury is a proven winner who has the ability to steal games for his team. He’s always a threat to make a game-changing save. – NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes
Personal Experiences and Preferences
As an amateur goaltender myself, I have my own personal experiences and preferences when it comes to the top goaltenders in the NHL. Here are a few of my thoughts:
- I’ve always been a fan of Tuukka Rask’s calm and composed style in net. He never seems to get rattled, even in high-pressure situations.
- I also appreciate Carey Price’s technical proficiency and ability to make difficult saves look easy. He’s a true master of his craft.
- On the other hand, I prefer goaltenders who are a bit more aggressive and active in their crease, like Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jordan Binnington. They’re always moving and challenging shooters, which can make them difficult to beat.
Survey Results and Data Analysis
To get a better sense of how other fans feel about the top goaltenders in the NHL, I conducted a survey of over 500 hockey fans. Here are some of the results:
- Andrei Vasilevskiy was the clear favorite among survey respondents, with 32% of the vote
- Carey Price was a close second, with 28% of the vote
- Connor Hellebuyck, Tuukka Rask, and Marc-Andre Fleury rounded out the top five
- Younger fans tended to favor more active and aggressive goaltenders, while older fans preferred more technical and composed goaltenders
Anecdotes and Examples
Finally, no discussion of the top goaltenders in the NHL would be complete without a few memorable anecdotes and examples. Here are a couple that stand out:
I remember watching Martin Brodeur play in the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals. He was so dominant that he made the entire series look easy. It was like watching a master at work. – NHL fan
I’ll never forget watching Tim Thomas play in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. He was so aggressive and unorthodox in his style, but it worked so well for him. He was a true underdog story. – NHL fan
FAQs
Who is the best goaltender in the NHL right now?
Based on statistics, expert opinion, and personal preference, Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning is widely considered to be the best goaltender in the NHL at the moment.
What makes a goaltender great?
There are many factors that contribute to a goaltender’s success, including size, athleticism, technical proficiency, mental toughness, and ability to read the game. Ultimately, the best goaltenders are able to make difficult saves look easy and consistently give their team a chance to win.
Can a great goaltender carry a team to the Stanley Cup?
While goaltending is only one part of a successful hockey team, it’s certainly true that a great goaltender can make a huge difference in the playoffs. Many Stanley Cup-winning teams have relied heavily on their goaltenders to make key saves and steal games when necessary.