Vezina Power Rankings: Andersen challenging Shesterkin
We have a tight battle at the top in our sixth edition of the 2021-22 Vezina Trophy Power Rankings. The final games of the season will play a massive role in who ends up with the coveted trophy.
5. Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty| RECORD | GAA | XGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% | GSAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22-14-7 | 2.30 | 2.60 | .927 | .858 | 25.28 |
The Islanders have had a pretty miserable season from start to finish, but Sorokin has been one of their bright spots. New York's goalie of the future has proven in his second NHL campaign that he'll be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. He ranks fourth in high-danger save percentage (.858), second in shutouts (six), and second in save percentage (.927). The Islanders have a few things to worry about this offseason, but their goalie situation isn't one of them.
4. Darcy Kuemper, Colorado Avalanche
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty| RECORD | GAA | XGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% | GSAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33-9-3 | 2.40 | 2.81 | .925 | .871 | 24.93 |
One of the biggest question marks surrounding Kuemper coming into this season was whether he could stay healthy for the Avalanche. His 49 appearances so far this campaign are already the second most of his career, and he's just six off his personal best of 55. Not only has he remained healthy, but he's played superbly. It helps that he's backstopping the NHL's best team. However, Kuemper still has the fourth-most goals saved above average (24.93).
3. Jacob Markstrom, Calgary Flames
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty| RECORD | GAA | XGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% | GSAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32-14-8 | 2.19 | 2.47 | .924 | .842 | 25.60 |
Markstrom is a big reason the Flames are one of the best teams in the Western Conference. He doesn't often have to bail his club out, but his steady play and reliability make it easier on the players in front of him. Markstrom leads the NHL with nine shutouts and has been as solid as can be all season long.
2. Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / Getty| RECORD | GAA | XGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% | GSAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33-12-3 | 2.07 | 2.69 | .926 | .847 | 23.91 |
Andersen is in line to post the best numbers of his career. He's been a model of consistency all campaign, allowing more than three goals just six times and never more than four. Andersen is also neck and neck with Igor Shesterkin in pretty much every statistical category. Depending on how things play out over the season's final weeks, Andersen may be the only one with a compelling enough case to dethrone Shesterkin, who once looked like the clear runaway winner.
1. Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty| RECORD | GAA | XGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% | GSAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32-10-4 | 2.14 | 2.90 | .933 | .871 | 36.32 |
Even after posting a sub-.900 save percentage in five of his last 10 games, Shesterkin's numbers this season remain spectacular. He still leads all goalies in almost every statistical category. If Shesterkin can string together a handful of solid starts to close out the campaign, the Vezina should be his. But voters will have a much tougher decision if he continues to play subpar hockey and his numbers come down a little more.
Honorable mentions: Thatcher Demko, Juuse Saros, Tristan Jarry
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