HABSFANATICS | NHL TEAM | MONTREAL CANADIENS

Underrated goalie has a strong case for the Vézina Trophy

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Jeff Drouin
January 26, 2022 (5:07 PM)

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The Nashville Predators were obviously right with goalie Juuse Saros. The young Finnish goalie had to wear the same shoes that Pekka Rinne wore for so many years and he can say mission accomplished.

The 26-year-old goalie is one of the most underrated goalies in the NHL, yet statistically speaking, he is the best.

The Preds' fourth-round pick in 2013 has racked up 23 wins (first in the NHL) in 36 starts, has a .926 save percentage and has maintained a 2.37 goals-against average. Nashville currently ranks second in the Central Division and Saros' prowess is not unknown there.

However, what is much more impressive about Saros is when you look at the advanced statistics.

Saros leads the league in quality starts with 17 and tops the league in steals with 7. He is ahead of goalies such as Andrei Vasilevskiy, Igor Shesterkin and Tristan Jarry... Pretty impressive, huh?

We shouldn't be surprised if Saros is named one of the three finalists for the Vézina Trophy, given to the best goalie in the NHL. An honor that would be greatly deserved, but wait, the season is not over.