Vezina Trophy Power Rankings: Best of the West dominating race
In the third edition of theScore's 2019-20 Vezina Trophy power rankings, we take a look at the leading candidates for this year's award as the midway mark of the season approaches.
5. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty| Record | GAA | xGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-11-3 | 2.60 | 2.77 | .922 | .821 |
Hellebuyck has endured a shaky couple of weeks heading into the new year, but an excellent body of work in the opening half of the season keeps him in the running for the Vezina.
The 26-year-old puck-stopper has been invaluable to a Jets team that's struggled to stay healthy on the blue line. Hellebuyck leads the league in goals saved above average (12.7) and was just named to the Central Division All-Star team for the second time in his career.
4. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty| Record | GAA | xGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-4-5 | 2.31 | 2.21 | .923 | .851 |
Rask has been steady all season for the Atlantic-leading Bruins. The Finnish netminder has helped his club earn at least a point in all but four of his starts and has just two regulation losses since Nov. 8.
Rask's numbers have declined over three consecutive months, however, as both he and the Bruins have come back down to earth following an incredible start to the campaign. He's also the only goalie on this list who's failed to outperform his expected goals-against average per 60 minutes so far this season.
Despite his regression, Rask is still having his best season in several years and will remain a strong Vezina candidate if he continues his sound play between the pipes.
3. Ben Bishop, Dallas Stars
Glenn James / National Hockey League / Getty| Record | GAA | xGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-9-3 | 2.34 | 2.49 | .926 | .848 |
Like Hellebuyck, Bishop has hit a bit of a rough patch of late, but the Stars' most valuable player has been at his very best for the majority of the campaign.
Through 27 starts this season, Bishop has allowed more than three goals in a game on just three occasions, two of which have come in the last 11 days. Though the Stars boast the league's 26th-ranked offensive, Bishop's elite ability in goal combined with the club's stingy defense makes Dallas a contender for a deep postseason run.
2. Darcy Kuemper, Arizona Coyotes
Norm Hall / National Hockey League / Getty| Record | GAA | xGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-8-2 | 2.17 | 2.35 | .929 | .823 |
Kuemper has been the backbone of one of the NHL's best stories this season. The Coyotes may be one of the top defensive squads in the league, but his excellence between the pipes elevates them from a team that's simply difficult to play against to a team that's extremely tough to beat.
Arizona sits second in the Pacific Division thanks in large part to Kuemper's dominant play. The Saskatchewan native has posted a 5-1-2 record with a 1.70 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage against divisional opponents. Despite missing time with injury, Kuemper remains a top candidate to take home this year's Vezina honors.
1. Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty| Record | GAA | xGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19-6-4 | 2.39 | 2.58 | .921 | .873 |
Binnington appears to be on cruise control during his sophomore campaign. He's won six straight starts and has lost consecutive games in regulation just once.
The Blues' coolheaded netminder owns the analytical advantage as well. Binnington boasts the league's best high-danger save percentage, and his performance relative to his expected goals-against average per 60 minutes is better than that of any other goaltender with at least 18 starts.
Advanced stats courtesy of NaturalStatTrick
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