Vezina Power Rankings: Shesterkin separating from pack

In our fourth edition of the 2021-22 Vezina Trophy power rankings, we have a couple of newcomers as well as a new netminder on top.

5. John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks

Previous rank: N/A

The Ducks have been a pleasant surprise this season and Gibson is finally getting the chance to backstop an overall solid team. Anaheim has struggled mightily over the past few years, and while there have been improvements, Gibson has been making up for some of the defensive woes that have plagued the team. He ranks third in the league with 17.93 goals saved above expected, while the Ducks give up the seventh-most shots per game in the NHL (33.2).

4. Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous rank: 3

Jarry finally has the benefit of backstopping a fully healthy Penguins lineup after the club battled numerous ailments throughout the majority of the first half of the season. His dominant play helped keep his team in games early on, and he's still not slowing down. He's won 13 of his last 17 contests and will certainly be looking to keep it up down the stretch.

3. Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators

Previous rank: N/A

Saros has been a model of consistency since taking over the crease from Pekka Rinne in Nashville. He's as solid as they come and gives the Predators a legitimate shot to win every single time he's in the crease. The team wasn't expected to be too competitive this year, but Saros' play is keeping them afloat in the standings.

2. Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes

Previous rank: 4

Andersen had a scorching hot start to the season with the Hurricanes but came back down to earth a little bit. Unfortunately for the rest of the NHL, he's heating up again. He's won 13 of his last 14 starts and has allowed over three goals just once during that span. The well-rounded Hurricanes tend to make life a bit easier for Andersen, but he's a big reason the club is firmly sitting atop the Metropolitan Division.

1. Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers

Previous rank: 2

Is the trophy Shesterkin's to lose at this point? The Rangers continue to hover near the top of the league standings, and so much of their success hinges on the goaltender's play. He ranks first in the league with an astute 25.67 goals saved above average and ranks second with an impressive .871 high-danger save percentage. It's even fair to say Shesterkin has a legitimate shot at the Hart Trophy if he keeps it up in the second half of the season.

Honorable mentions: Jack Campbell, Jacob Markstrom, Andrei Vasilevskiy

(Analytics source: Evolving-Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)