Vezina Trophy Power Rankings: Rinne looking to repeat

In the second edition of theScore's Vezina Trophy Power Rankings, last year's winner is making a strong case to repeat, but other contenders remain in the mix with more than fourth months left to play. You can read October's edition here.

* Goalies must have played at least 10 games to be considered.
* Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy isn't included due to his current injury.

Here are the top five candidates so far:

5. David Rittich, Calgary FlamesGerry Thomas / National Hockey League / Getty

Rittich has backstopped the Flames to the top of the Pacific Division.

The 26-year-old has gone 8-2-1 in 11 starts and is sporting a .924 save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average. He's drastically outplayed fellow netminder Mike Smith, who's gone 6-7-1 with a .883 save percentage and a 3.29 goals-against average.

Rittich also has a .948 save percentage at five-on-five and ranks third in the league with a .914 high-danger save percentage. He's made quite an impact despite starting fewer than 30 games so far in his young career.

4. John Gibson, Anaheim DucksHarry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Gibson could potentially be higher on this list if he was given just a little more slack from his teammates.

The 25-year-old has recorded a mediocre 9-8-4 record, but his 2.54 goals-against average, .927 save percentage, and underlying numbers show that he's been elite.

Gibson sits third in goals saved above average at even strength, first in high-danger shots against, seventh in high-danger save percentage, and fifth in save percentage.

The Ducks are giving up an average of 35.9 shots per game - the second most league-wide - and are firing just 26.4 at the opposition each night, the lowest mark in the league. Gibson is keeping the Ducks in the Pacific Division race.

3. Jaroslav Halak, Boston BruinsNorm Hall / National Hockey League / Getty

It might come as a surprise, but Jaroslav Halak is having a monstrous 2018-19 campaign.

The veteran netminder has started the majority of the Bruins' games this season, going 8-3-2 with a 2.06 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage, marks that rank second in the league. He also leads all goalies with a .932 high-danger save percentage at five-on-five.

At some point, one would expect Tuukka Rask to reclaim the No. 1 spot in Boston, but in the meantime, it's Halak's to lose.

2. Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple LeafsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

On a team that boasts the likes of John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and potential Norris Trophy candidate Morgan Rielly, Frederik Andersen has arguably been the Maple Leafs' most valuable player.

The 29-year-old leads the league in wins with 14 and has posted a .932 save percentage and a 2.26 goals-against average, good for third and fourth in the league, respectively.

Andersen is off to his best start to a season since joining the Maple Leafs, keeping the team within striking distance of the Atlantic Division's top spot despite prolonged absences from Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

1. Pekka Rinne, Nashville PredatorsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

If Pekka Rinne keeps this up, there's no question he'll take home his second straight Vezina Trophy.

The Predators netminder leads the league with a .938 overall save percentage and a 1.77 goals-against average. At five-on-five, he's tops among all goalies with an 11.98 goals saved above average and a .954 save percentage. In turn, Nashville sits just a point out of top spot in the NHL.

To summarize, it's going to take a lot to dethrone Rinne as the league's top goalie.

(Advanced stats courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)

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