Power Ranking Vezina Trophy Candidates

Jun 24, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Carey Price talks to media after winning four awards during the 2015 NHL Awards at MGM Grand. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

With 2015 winding down to it’s final days, early award candidates have already started to state their cases. You can probably consider these 5 guys as the reason why the NHL feels there’s an issue with scoring in the league, but to be honest it’s just the fact that all of these guys have been standing on their heads for their teams to start the 2015-2016 season. For future reference, I should state that I am basing my stats off of goaltenders who have started at least 17 games. The reason for this is not to include guys like Michal Neuvirth, who boasts an incredible .937 SV%, yet has only started 14 games this season. Thats almost half as many games as some of my top choices for the Vezina, including Braden Holtby and Jake Allen. So with that, here are the top 5 candidates for leagues best goaltender.

Dec 22, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) faces the Dallas Stars attack during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

5. Corey Crawford
Corey Crawford may be a bit of a surprise to make this list as his numbers are never usually gaudy or anything to write home about. I’ve always compared Crawford as the Alex Smith of the NHL, he just feels more like the game manager type of goaltender, rather than the guy who makes the outright dazzling saves. But, even with all of the slights I’ve just given him, Crawford is having a very good season. He’s tied with Jake Allen for the league lead in shutouts with 5. He’s also ranked 2nd in the league with 18 wins and also finds himself in the top 10 in save percentage.

Dec 17, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild win 5-2 over the Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

4. Henrik Lundvqist
Despite what Linda Cohn may think, Henrik Lundqvist comes in at number 4 on my list of Vezina candidates. Sure, the stats are all there for Lundqvist. He’s sporting his usual .924 SV%, and a 16-9-3 record overall. Unfortunately for Lundqvist and the Rangers in general, the team has been awful in the month of December, going 3-5-1 and giving up 4 or more goals 4 times in that stretch. There’s still time for Lundqvist to get back into the conversation but for now he’s definitely outside of the top 3.

Dec 14, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save in the seond period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jonathan Quick
Coming in just outside the top 2 of Vezina candidates is Los Angeles Kings stalwart Jonathan Quick. Quick has been spectacular for the Kings this year, posting a 17-9-1 record. Those 17 wins are good enough for 3rd best in the league, while his .917 SV% ranks in the top 10 among qualified goaltenders. Quick has been a serious Vezina candidate before, finishing 2nd in 2011-2012. The Kings have been the dominant team in the Pacific Division so far this year and unless they full out collapse, the Kings will once again return to the postseason. More over, if the Kings continue to win and do so with impressive defense and goaltending, Quick will once again find an invite to Las Vegas as a finalist for the Vezina trophy.

Dec 5, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) makes a save during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scottrade Center. Toronto won the game 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jake Allen
Jake Allen has really blossomed into the goaltender that he was so hyped to be. For the past few seasons the Blues have been rotating Allen and veteran Brian Elliot, but this season Allen has proven himself to be a truly elite number 1 goaltender. Out of all the guys on this list Allen is one of only 2 that ranks in the top 5 in every major goaltending category. He’s tied with the aforementioned Crawford for the league lead in shutouts, while his 2.06 GAA and .928 SV% ranks 3rd and 2nd best respectively. If the St. Louis Blues can come out on top of the toughest division in hockey, Allen will receive high marks for his performances.

Dec 3, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

1. Braden Holtby
If you don’t think that Braden Holtby belongs at the top of this list, then you’re probably the same person who thinks the Star Wars prequels were better than the original trilogy. Truth is, Holtby has been the best goaltender in the NHL this season and it hasn’t even really been close. The former 4th round draft pick currently leads the league with an impressive 1.96 GAA in 26 games started this season. He also is tops in the league in wins with 21, and if you consider qualified goalies like I said in the opening, Holtby also ranks first in SV% with a .931. The Washington Capitals are the best team in hockey right now and sure, it’s hard to ignore their star-powered offense. Even still, Holtby has given up more than 3 goals only 1 time this season and is the the real reason the Caps sit atop the NHL. If that trend continues, expect Holtby to be going home with the Vezina come award season.