The new reality of the NHL hits us in the face for this ranking: there are few true number one goalies who play the vast majority of their team’s games. A lot of goalkeepers could, and perhaps even should, have been included in our list.
Several duos stand out, and our list of achievements must be adjusted. I knew that the monthly exercise would be more complex than doing it three or four times per season as before because the sample is still very small, especially with sharing becoming more and more fashionable. Regardless of the perilous nature of this publication, here it is:
1. Jake Oettinger, DAL (4-0-1 1.74 .940)
He was the choice of the first four people I consulted as the best goaltender in October. “Sure value”, “solid” and “moved to the next level” are three qualifiers that were communicated to me by these same observers. He makes the Stars better night after night and his desire to win is obvious and contagious.
2. and 3. Linus Ullmark (4-0-1 1.68 .939), Jeremy Swayman (4-0-0 1.26 .957), BOS
The reigning Vezina Trophy recipient will not give up his place so easily. And neither does Boston if we rely on their start to the season. He is very well supported by Swayman. They play behind a team that gives the opposition very few scoring opportunities, but the goalkeepers still have to make the saves and they do it very well. They delivered nine out of nine quality starts to the Bruins.
4. Thatcher Demko, VAN (4-2-0 1.92 .935)
Winner in his last three starts in October, including a shutout victory, the big Canucks goaltender holds the fort and seems to want to forget his up-and-down performances of recent seasons. His efficiency rate of .939 against shots from the bottom of the slot is frankly impressive.
5. And 6. Adin Hill (5-0-1 2.11 .923), Logan Thompson (4-0-0 2.21 .931), VGK
Another duo that makes our list. And again, another tandem which evolves for a well-oiled defensive machine in Vegas. Although Hill had to stand out against the Canadiens. Hill has an imposing size with which he covers a lot of space. Thompson, for his part, is more active and athletic in front of his cage.
7. Joseph Woll, TOR (3-2-0 1.89 .942)
In relief of Ilya Samsonov still looking for his bearings, Woll offered three quality starts out of a possible four. According to SportLogiq, he is the goalkeeper who saves the most anticipated goals per 60 minutes of play among goalkeepers who have had at least four starts. It remains to be seen if the young goaltender can maintain the pace in his first season in the NHL and, also, if Samsonov will be able to return to his expected starting position.
8 and 9. Jake Allen (3-0-1 2.63 .930), Samuel Montembeault (2-1-1 2.91 .905), MTL
I promise, this is the last duo in the ranking. But Habs fans will be happy to know that it’s not just their partisanship that places Allen and Montembeault in the elite at the start of the season. The menage a trois will certainly not help maintain their place here, but the fact remains that the “CH” goaltenders stole four games in October, two each, a record among all NHL teams for the first month of action. They are also both in the top 15 for goals saved per 60 minutes of play.
10. Jonas Johansson, TB (4-1-3 2.73 .922)
One thing that’s safe to say is that the Lightning like to identify a number one goaltender and use him liberally. In the absence of Andrei Vasilevskiy, Johansson is the most used and busiest goalkeeper on the entire circuit. And I will always have a soft spot for goalkeepers who demonstrate durability. He made 45 more saves than anyone and posted back-to-back shutouts in October.
At the bottom of the ranking: Alexandar Georgiev, Carter Hart, Ilya Sorokin, Igor Shesterkin
Surprising assistants: Lukas Dostal, Jonathan Quick
Disappointed markets: Edmonton, Caroline, Ottawa
Should be more convincing: Tristan Jarry, Jacob Markstrom
Not the goalkeepers’ fault: San Jose
