Credit: War-On-Ice
NHL Goalie Power Rankings: The Elite
These are, in my opinion, the five best goalies in the NHL. Each of these three goalies has done enough to prove to me that they are the best of the best. Not only that, they do it at about as consistent of a rate as you can expect from a goalie.
Coming in at number five…
Braden Holtby
Braden Holtby, despite what you might think, has been elite when you look at his last three seasons. Over the past three NHL seasons, he ranks eighth in even-strength save percentage (93.01%) and 12th in even-strength save percentage (93.22%). On paper, that’s not elite. However, you know what makes him elite? He faces a high number of high-danger scoring chances and that is possibly when he has been at his best. His 85.30% even strength high-danger save percentage over the past three seasons ranks third among all starting goalies, trailing two fellow elite goaltenders. His age also factors into this equation. He turns 26 later in September. He’s in the prime of his career. You know what put me over the “Holby is elite” fence? He has the highest playoff save percentage of any goalie. Ever. Yes, you read that right. When the pressure is at its highest, that’s when Holtby shines brightest. If that doesn’t make you elite, I don’t know what does.
Coming in at number four…
Cory Schneider
When one thinks of elite goaltenders, Cory Schneider does not immediately come to your mind. Which is fine, because Schneider has been quietly elite. Once you look at his stats, you wonder what he did to deserve to be on the New Jersey Devils. Over the past three NHL seasons, he ranks sixth in even-strength save percentage (93.03%) and fourth in even-strength adjusted save percentage (93.65%). He’s the reason the Devils aren’t a complete waste of a team.
At this point, you could argue that any of the remaining three goalies are the best in the NHL, and you’re probably not wrong. Coming in at number three…
Henrik Lundqvist
Surprising that the ice did not collapse due to the combined eliteness of Holtby and Henrik Lundqvist. Even as a Caps fan, I can’t help but respect how consistently elite Lundqvist is. I also can’t deny that I probably have nightmares about him in elimination games because he morphs into a super elite goalie during those. Over the past three NHL seasons, Henrik has played in 208 games (though keep in mind that includes the playoffs). That would be even higher had he not gotten injured on a fluke play last season. While Henrik is already 33 years old (and turns 34 in March of 2016), Henrik is still elite despite his gradual decline beginning. You could say he’s the best goalie in the NHL if you factor in what he does during the playoffs.
Coming in at number two…
Carey Price
Yes, Carey Price had an outstanding season in 2014-15. If you’re a fan of recency bias, you’d probably say Price is the best goalie in the NHL. You could also say he is because he is just 28 years old, meaning that he still has prime years left. Over the past three NHL seasons, Price ranks second in even-strength save percentage (93.45%) and second in even-strength adjusted save percentage (93.72%).
Coming in at number one…
Tuukka Rask
Tuukka Rask is, in my humble opinion, the best goalie in the NHL. Carey Price was the best goalie in 2014-15, that’s undeniable. However, when you look at the past three seasons, Rask has been the best goalie in the NHL. He has the best even-strength save percentage (93.75%) and the best even-strength adjusted save percentage (94.12%) over the past three seasons.