Ranking the Hottest Goaltenders in the NHL in 2017-18

The early stages of the 2017-18 NHL season have featured plenty of scoring—and not just when the Tampa Bay Lightning are banging in nearly four goals per game.

Through Monday, 17 of the league's 31 teams are averaging at least three goals per game—a sharp spike from the seven teams that reached that benchmark last season.

That's not to say we aren't seeing good goaltending. Standouts abound, especially in the Western Conference. Some are still establishing themselves, while others have earned notice for their impressive work in the past, but not one of the best performers this season has brought home a Vezina Trophy.

This ranking of the NHL's hottest goaltenders is based on personal stats, a goalie's impact on his team's performance, how he's trending this year and his chances of maintaining his high level of play for the rest of the season.

Honorable Mentions

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Jacob Markstrom and Anders Nilsson, Vancouver Canucks: The Vancouver Canucks went into the season without a proven NHL starter, and that decision has worked out just fine thanks to their Swedish twin towers in net.

Jacob Markstrom is already a third of the way to matching his career high of 33 appearances and has recorded a career-high .918 save percentage and 2.30 goals-against average. Meanwhile, Anders Nilsson is tied for the league lead with two shutouts in just four appearances, which goes along with a 1.89 goals-against average and .945 save percentage.

All told, the Canucks have gone from 25th in the league with 2.96 goals against per game last season to third overall with 2.43 this year.

Carter Hutton, St. Louis Blues: Jake Allen has been the main man in net for the St. Louis Blues, who are off to an impressive start in Mike Yeo's first full season as the team's head coach. But Allen's personal numbers are so-so—it's backup Carter Hutton who has shone. In three games, Hutton is a perfect 3-0-0 with a .950 save percentage and has given up just five goals for a 1.67 goals-against average.

Charlie Lindgren, Montreal Canadiens: With Carey Price out of action because of an unspecified lower-body injury, Lindgren outduelled Corey Crawford with a 38-save performance to give the Montreal Canadiens a 2-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. It's only one game, but a goals-against average of 0.00 is rare enough to warrant a mention.

6. Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators

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By the numbers: One of the NHL's established veteran netminders, Pekka Rinne turned 35 on November 3 but is showing no signs of slowing down. In his first 10 games this year, he posted numbers that line up with the three seasons when he earned Vezina nominations—a .930 save percentage and 2.19 goals-against average behind his 6-2-2 record.

Analysis: Rinne is assisted by Nashville's strong defense corps, which is holding opponents to an average of 30.4 shots per game this season—sixth-best in the league. But it's not all about the blueliners or coach Peter Laviolette's system. Rinne's performance this year has been light years ahead than that of his backup, Juuse Saros (1-3-0, 3.94 GAA, .895 save percentage).

Prediction: Last season, Laviolette made a point of cutting back Rinne's workload. He played 61 regular-season games and stayed fresh until June, when he showed signs of wearing down during the Stanley Cup Final.

After a shortened summer break, it's even more crucial Rinne gets enough rest during the season if Nashville hopes to take another shot at a long playoff run.

5. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

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By the numbers: The Winnipeg Jets signed Steve Mason as an unrestricted free agent over the summer—and it lit a fire under their goalie of the future. Connor Hellebuyck has started 10 of the Jets' 13 games this season and has yet to lose in regulation. He's 8-0-2 with a .936 save percentage and a 2.12 goals-against average—a huge improvement over his 2016-17 averages of .907 and 2.89, respectively.

Analysis: Hellebuyck's improved play isn't a result of an easier workload; the Jets are giving up 3.5 more shots per game than they did last season. But it takes time to settle in as a reliable NHL starter, and at 24, Hellebuyck is reaping the benefits of his apprenticeship. Lessons from last season are paying dividends.

Prediction: Hellebuyck faced 50 shots in Winnipeg's recent 5-4 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens. It was only the second time all year he'd given up more than two goals, but it could be a sign he'll be in for a rougher ride down the road if the high-flying Jets don't tighten up defensively.

4. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning

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By the numbers: The Tampa Bay Lightning haven't missed a beat since moving on from two-time Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop. His successor, the 23-year-old Andrei Vasilevskiy, has been a workhorse in the early going, ranking second in minutes played (785), behind only Frederik Andersen of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Vasilevskiy's .924 save percentage and 2.52 goals-against average rank him comfortably among the NHL's goaltending leaders, but his most impressive stat is his 11-1-1 record for the first-place Lightning.

Analysis: No team has scored more goals per game this season than Tampa Bay. Vasilevskiy has had plenty of support, but his team is better with him than without him. Backup Peter Budaj is 0-1-1 with a 4.00 goals-against average.

Prediction: Vasilevskiy appeared in 50 games last season, so his move to a starter's role isn't a huge leap. He shouldn't have too much trouble adding another 10-15 games to his schedule—especially if the Lightning can keep up their torrid scoring pace.

3. Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks

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By the numbers: He gave up four goals in each of his first two starts this season, but that's a distant memory. Martin Jones hasn't been scored on more than twice in his eight subsequent starts and was named the NHL's third star for the week ending November 5 after he surrendered just four goals in three starts, all wins for the San Jose Sharks.

Since taking those two early losses, Jones has gone 7-1-0. He boasts a 1.98 goals-against average and .930 save percentage, with one shutout.

Analysis: Over his first two years as the San Jose Sharks starter, Jones tied Devan Dubnyk of the Minnesota Wild for second in the league with 72 wins in 130 appearances. His personal numbers were solid for a backup netminder moving into a starter's role, but this year they are shifting into elite territory.

Prediction: Through their first 13 games, the Sharks are allowing just 27.8 shots on goal per night, the fewest in the league. That shows a strong commitment to team defense, which has helped right the ship after the early-season swoon.

As usual, Jones will carry the lion's share of the workload. The 27-year-old is on track for his best season yet.

2. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks

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By the numbers: Appearing in 13 of the Chicago Blackhawks' 15 games this season, Corey Crawford has posted a 7-5-0 record with a 1.77 goals-against average and .945 save percentage.

Crawford was named the NHL's first star for the week ending November 5 after giving up just two goals in three games, which included back-to-back shutouts against the Philadelphia Flyers and Minnesota Wild. According to Hockey Reference, it's the first time in Crawford's career he has received top honors.

Analysis: The Blackhawks' defensive depth drops off quickly after Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. The team is giving up 33.9 shots per game—second-most in the league. Crawford has been busy, already facing at least 35 shots in four of his 12 starts. His heavy workload makes his stellar early-season performance even more impressive.

Prediction: If Crawford keeps this up, this could be the year the 32-year-old finally makes his way into the Vezina Trophy conversation. Despite two Stanley Cup wins and two William M. Jennings Trophies, Crawford is rarely perceived to be an elite goaltender.

With a struggling Anton Forsberg in the backup role, Chicago will go only as far as Crawford can take the team this season. At this point, that's nothing for Hawks fans to worry about.

1. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings

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By the numbers: The Los Angeles Kings have a new head coach and a new general manager, but it's an old face anchoring their return to the top of the NHL standings this season. Jonathan Quick is 8-2-1 in 11 starts with a 1.99 goals-against average and .939 save percentage. He's also tied for the NHL lead with two shutouts.

Analysis: It's safe to say Quick has fully recovered from the groin injury that kept him out of action for more than four months last season. The Kings aren't playing the same stifling style of game that they employed last year, either. They are in the top 10 in scoring and the middle of the pack in shots allowed but have Quick to thank, in large part, for the NHL's best penalty kill and the league-best 2.21 goals against per game.

Prediction: The Kings were crushed when they lost Quick to injury during the first game of the 2016-17 season. They're riding high now he's back in place and playing his best.

Expect to see Quick earn his third Vezina Trophy nomination next spring—and perhaps his first win.

Stats courtesy of NHL.com, current through games completed November 6.