Everyone knows how important goaltending is in the NHL, but sometimes we forget just how significant it is. Having a good goaltender does not guarantee playoff success by any means, just ask two future hall of fame goaltenders Henrik Lundqvist and Carey Price, who didn’t even make playoffs this year (partially attributed to down years for both goaltenders, however).
Even if a team is being outplayed, a hot goaltender can still steal the win. Case in point, Alex Lyon of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers AHL affiliate) stopped 94 of 95 shots to win the longest game in AHL history Wednesday night despite his own team only putting up 53 shots. To further put in perspective of how important goaltending is, just take a look at the remaining NHL goaltenders.
Despite there being only five teams remaining, all three Vezina Trophy candidates still have a possible Stanley Cup victory in their near future.
Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets and Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators are set to square off on Thursday to see which Vezina candidate will move on to play Marc-Andre Fleury, who just happens to be the active leader in playoff wins.
On the other side, Andrei Vasilevskiy – the third Vezina candidate – is ready to kick off a series in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s crease. His opponent? Last year’s runner up and 2016 Vezina winner Braden Holtby. Holtby also holds the current active lead in GAA and Save Percentage.
Vezina recognition of remaining goalies:
Andrei Vasilevskiy – Nominated
Connor Hellebuyck – Nominated
Pekka Rinne – Nominated, also was nominated three out of five years between 2010-2015.
Braden Holtby – Runner up last season, won the year before that
The most surprising part of all this is that Fleury, the only goalie not invited to this Vezina party, is undoubtedly having the best post season of the bunch.
Goaltending wins Stanley Cups, people!
