Who needs a goalie? With the trade deadline approaching, that’s usually a big question, but the market is stagnant and the bigger news is coming from the dead-end teams who are getting performances from unknowns.
In Toronto, James Reimer is posting excellent numbers for the defensively challenged Maple Leafs. His .929 save percentage is exemplary and would be even higher had he not been initiated into the Buds’ latest rite of passage: getting annihilated by the Buffalo Sabres. Rivalry bloodbath notwithstanding, Reimer notched his first NHL shutout in a win against Carolina and has been playing so well that Jonas Gustavsson was sent to the American League.
Higher up in the province, Ottawa brass is becoming ever more infatuated with Robin Lehner, the Swedish rookie who has given his all and played with fiery resolve on a team that generally lacks those characteristics.
And on Long Island, any news that isn’t horrible is good these days. Rookie Kevin Poulin has carried a 4-2-1 record so far and will get more work now that Rick DiPietro is on the shelf long-term once again. Poulin’s .924 save percentage is another positive harbinger.
While none of those three are in the Vezina running, they’re making headlines, as are the 10 below who make up our ranking in the top-goalie race.
Game of the Month: It was a result only a goalie could love. Minnesota outlasted Los Angeles 1-0 in a shootout, with Niklas Backstrom earning the ‘W’ and Kings backup Jonathan Bernier having to settle for the moral victory of a 1.000 save percentage. Not only were the netminders perfect through 65 minutes, but both were near flawless in the shootout, with Pierre-Marc Bouchard scoring the only tally on Bernier.
Rising: Since being rescued from Long Island by Bolts GM Steve Yzerman, Dwayne Roloson has been something to watch for Tampa Bay. The grizzled veteran has posted four shutouts in just under a month for the Lightning and given up just five goals in his past four games, including back-to-back blankings of Philly and Toronto.
Falling: The Stars are swooning lately and Kari Lehtonen’s fairytale season is taking a beating as a result. The Finnish netminder has lost four of his past five starts and the one win came against the bottom-feeding Oilers. His goals-against average is up to 2.63 as a result.
Outside Looking in: Ondrej Pavelec's numbers are still decent (.924 save percentage and 2.53 goals-against average), but Atlanta is in the tank right now and 'Pavelectric' can't pull the Thrashers out. Corey Crawford has hit a lull in Chicago, where the Hawks desperately need a bona fide No. 1 netminder if they are going to even get a chance to defend the Stanley Cup.
Dropped Out: Pavelec, Tomas Vokoun
THN.com's Vezina Trophy Watch will appear monthly throughout the season. And don't miss out as we'll also track the Hart, Norris and Jack Adams, in THN's Trophy Watch.