Vezina Power Rankings: Grubauer, Fleury putting on clinic in the crease
In the second edition of theScore's 2021 Vezina Trophy Power Rankings, we get an early look at which netminders have been at the top of their game this season.
GAA = Goals against average
xGA/60 = Expected goals against per 60 minutes
SV% = Save percentage
HDSV% = High-danger save percentage
GSAA = Goals saved above average
*Goaltenders must play a minimum of 10 games to qualify
5. Kevin Lankinen, Blackhawks
Gregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / Getty| Record | GAA | xGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% | GSAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-3-3 | 2.59 | 2.66 | .921 | .848 | 6.83 |
Lankinen is coming off a pair of subpar starts, but his incredibly consistent play throughout most of the season has been the catalyst for a surprisingly strong start for the re-tooling Blackhawks. He owns the league's fifth-best goals saved above average and has played the seventh-most minutes among all goalies. The rookie will likely receive plenty of Calder Trophy consideration if he continues to make a significant impact.
4. Semyon Varlamov, Islanders
Sara Schmidle / National Hockey League / Getty| Record | GAA | xGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% | GSAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-4-2 | 2.06 | 2.14 | .927 | .856 | 7.81 |
Varlamov was due to regress after an absurd start to the campaign, but the Islanders puck-stopper has continued to look sharp despite his opponents' strength in the East division. The Russian is among the top-five netminders in every individual statistic above and has allowed more than three goals in just one game this season. He's also tied for the league lead with three shutouts.
3. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty| Record | GAA | xGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% | GSAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-3-1 | 2.01 | 2.49 | .931 | .860 | 9.64 |
The 2019 Vezina Trophy winner continues to prove he's arguably the best goaltender in the world. Vasilevskiy is tied for second in wins and hasn't dropped consecutive games in regulation all season. It's worth mentioning that his recent five-game winning streak came against two of the league's worst teams, but Vasilevskiy has long proven his elite status and shouldn't be penalized for the lighter schedule.
2. Philipp Grubauer, Avalanche
Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty| Record | GAA | xGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% | GSAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-4-0 | 1.78 | 2.22 | .932 | .859 | 8.59 |
Grubauer often gets overshadowed by his star-studded Avalanche teammates, but he's been red-hot between the pipes all season. The German netminder conceded just 10 goals over his last seven starts and has allowed three or more goals in only three games this campaign. Grubauer will be in a terrific position to capture his first career Vezina Trophy if he continues at this rate.
1. Marc-Andre Fleury, Golden Knights
Jeff Bottari / National Hockey League / Getty| Record | GAA | xGA/60 | SV% | HDSV% | GSAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-3-0 | 1.55 | 2.15 | .942 | .877 | 10.39 |
Fleury is far from finished. The 36-year-old remains at the top of his game in his 17th season, and his dominant play has kept the Golden Knights near the top of the standings while Robin Lehner recovers from injury. Fleury has held opponents to just one goal or less in over half of his starts this campaign and paces all puck-stoppers in goals-against average, save percentage, and goals saved above average.
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