Vezina Trophy Power Rankings: Vasilevskiy enters the race

In the fourth edition of theScore's 2019-20 Vezina Trophy Power Rankings, we look at the leading candidates for the award entering the second half of the season.

5. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning

The 2018-19 Vezina Trophy winner is officially back in the hunt thanks to a sensational eight-week stretch.

Vasilevskiy rode a 10-game winning streak into the All-Star break, and he's gone 14-1-2 with a .933 save percentage over his last 17 starts. Since Dec. 1, he's posted a goals-against average of 2.19, slightly outplaying his expected goals against of 2.22.

The Russian netminder also gets credit for putting up elite numbers despite carrying a heavy workload. Vasilevskiy is one of just eight goalies with at least 36 starts this season, and he's tied for the lead in save percentage among that group.

4. Darcy Kuemper, Arizona Coyotes

Kuemper hasn't played since exiting a Dec. 19 contest with an injury, but his body of work throughout the first three months of the season was so impressive that he can't be omitted from these rankings.

The 6-foot-5 goalie has been the backbone of Arizona's defensive identity this season, and the club hasn't been the same without him. The Coyotes have won just six times in 14 outings since Kuemper went down, and they'll need him to return in Vezina-like form amid an extremely tight Pacific Division race.

Although the injury prevented him from suiting up, the 29-year-old Kuemper also earned his first All-Star Game nod this season.

3. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

Where would the Jets be without Hellebuyck? The Vezina Trophy isn't handed out to the goalie who's deemed the most valuable, but the 26-year-old might be in a position to run away with the award right now if his teammates had given him a bit more defensive help.

Hellebuyck's high-danger save percentage looks rocky compared to the other goalies on this list, but consider this: The Jets have owned a league-worst 41.5% share of high-danger scoring chances at all strengths, and they've conceded 671 such opportunities this season, which is 45 more than the third-last club in that department.

Additionally, the 6-foot-4 puck-stopper has outplayed his expected goals against per 60 minutes and leads the NHL with 8.13 goals saved above average at five-on-five. Despite the Jets' serious defensive struggles, Hellebuyck has been dynamite.

2. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins

Rask rebounded nicely after a shaky month of December, but a concussion has kept him sidelined since Jan. 14.

The Finnish netminder allowed two or fewer goals in six of seven starts prior to the injury, and he owns a .936 save percentage since Christmas. Staying cool under pressure, Rask ranks third in high-danger save percentage among all goalies and sixth (5.61) in goals saved above average (minimum 20 starts).

Although wins and losses are primarily a team stat, the fact that Rask has dropped just four starts in regulation this season speaks volumes about his resilient play.

1. Ben Bishop, Dallas Stars

Big Ben has stood tall for a Stars team that ranks 28th in goals for per game, the worst mark among all clubs that are currently in a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Dallas ranks first defensively, in large part due to Bishop's elite play.

The Colorado native has outperformed his expected goals-against average per 60 minutes by the widest margin of all netminders (minimum 20 starts). His expected save percentage is also .115 lower (.912) than his actual mark, which suggests he's often stopping more pucks than he should be.

Bishop has given the Stars a chance to win essentially every night, surrendering more than three goals on just three occasions through 33 starts. If that's not Vezina material, we don't know what is.

Honorable mention: Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues

(Advanced stats source: Natural Stat Trick, Corsica Hockey)