A look at the top-5 Vezina Trophy candidates and why Jack Campbell is not currently among them
Heading into All-Star festivities in Vegas this weekend, we look at the top-5 Vezina candidates at the season's half way mark and why Jack Campbell unfortunately isn't one of them.
5. John Gibson - Anaheim Ducks
Gibson has been a stalwart between the pipes for the Ducks the past few seasons as they transition to a younger core and has often covered up tumultuous mistakes without the team having the ability to recover or counter attack. This season, Gibson is 15-10-8 with a .922 save percentage and 2.49GAA and with the additions of the human highlight reel Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry and Jamie Drysdale and the resurgence of veterans Getzlaf, Shattenkirk and Fowler, the Ducks currently find themselves in 2nd in the Pacific division.
4. Tristan Jarry - Pittsburgh Penguins
The perennial contending Penguins have had issues with goaltending since the departure of Fleury to Vegas in the expansion draft, but the position appears to have turned the corner this year as Tristan Jarry is coming into his own and with Crosby and Malkin both healthy for the first time in a while the Pens' retooling in the offseason has them once again in the hunt for a playoff spot. Jarry is currently 23-8-6 and has posted a 2.21GAA and a .923 save percentage and has won 13 of his last 17 games.
3. Juuse Saros - Nashville Predators
He's always been considered too small to be a starter in the NHL, but since taking over the reigns from Pekke Rinne, Juuse Saros has been fantastic between the pipes for the Preds. The Preds have finally be able to score goals at a decent pace, but without Saros bailing them out and keeping them in tight games, this season could look much different for them. Saros is currently 24-11-3 with a 2.35GAA and a .927 save percentage.
2. Frederik Andersen - Carolina Hurricanes
Andersen got off to a very hot start in Carolina, which is the complete opposite of how he ended his tensure in Toronto. He did revert back to his inconsistent play for a bit, but since then, he's found himself on another scorching run. He's given up 3 goals just once in his last 14 games and has won 13 of those 14. At 24-6-0 with a 2.01GAA and .929 save percentage, he could have his best season yet at age 31.
1. Igor Shesterkin - New York Rangers
The Rangers would not be sitting 2nd in the Metro division if not for Shesterkin. The kid has been on a different level and seems to have really come into his own this season. So far, he's posted a 22-5-2 record with a 2.10GAA and a .937 save percentage. Should he be able to continue standing on his head, he could very well be in the conversation for the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award as well.
Outside Looking In: Jack Campbell
It was only a few short weeks ago that Jack Campbell was considered the favourite, or at least one of the favourites, for the Vezina Trophy this season. However, a less than stellar January has pushed Campbell down the list of favourites. While the Leafs still went 9-2-1 in the month, Campbell's last 7 starts in January had him post a .865 save percentage and a mind-blowingly high 4.13GAA. Granted the team was not at all great in front of him defensively, but it feels like Campbell has hit a bit of a wall with fatigue and the Leafs need to do whatever they can to keep him as fresh as possible for the rest of the season.
Thankfully, the calendar turned to February yesterday and Campbell and the Leafs got off to a good start with a 7-1 thumping of the Devils in their last game before the All-Star Break. Hopefully Soupy can relax and have some fun at the All-Star Game this weekend and come back refreshed and find his form when the Buds return to action next week. The club should consider leaning on Petr Mrazek a bit more to help lighten the load for Campbell.
