A couple of teams leaned on their top goalies with great success last week, while others are digging into organizational depth with positive results. Two other veteran netminders are nearing a return from the injury list.
Risers
Igor Shesterkin 
New York Rangers
Sorokin has rebounded from a substandard 2024-25 campaign to rank among the league leaders in several statistical categories this season. Last week, he turned aside 88 of 95 shots on goal (.926 save percentage), earning two wins and an OT loss. His resurgence is more impressive when we note that the Rangers are currently not as deep in talent as they were earlier in his career. He has been forced to handle more high-danger chances and a higher shot volume this season. He'll need to keep up this high standard to keep the Rangers in contention within the uber-competitive Metropolitan Division playoff race.
Jake Oettinger 
Dallas Stars
Oettinger is another top-end goalie who is delivering the goods again this season and is a big reason why the Stars have the second-best record in the NHL at this time. With three wins last week, he extended a personal winning streak to a season-high six games, as he was able to stop 70 of 73 shots on goal (.924 save percentage). In his six years with Dallas, he has been a model of consistency, and his current season-long statistics (2.49 GAA, .909 save percentage) are in line with his career norms.
Dustin Wolf 
Calgary Flames
Wolf is working hard to drag the Flames into the playoff hunt and has been a key cog in the club's recent 7-2-1 record over the past 10 games. He won all three of his starts last week, saving 79 of 84 he faced (.940 save percentage). In his third full season with the Flames, he's already established his credentials as one of the most talented young goalies in the game. As the Flames still have some ground to make up in the Western Conference playoff race, Wolf has to continue to be on top of his game to give his team a chance to succeed.
Karel Vejmelka 
Utah Mammoth
Vejmelka has picked up right where he left off, with a second strong campaign for the relocated Utah Mammoth. He's enjoying another season where he's posted more wins than losses, 12-8-2 in 23 games played. Last week he won consecutive road games before dropping one at home. He did his part in saving all but four out of 86 shots on goal (.953 save percentage). With 23 starts already under his belt, he's on pace to be among the busiest goalies in the league, and his value is higher because of an improving win probability for the Mammoth.
Dennis Hildeby 
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs had to call upon their top minor league prospect after injuries sidelined the starting tandem of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll in recent weeks. Last week, Hildeby was stellar in each of his three appearances, stopping all but one of 72 shots on goal (.986 save percentage). That impressive effort has calmed the waters around the club's goalie concerns at a time when they need to get results to close in on a playoff spot. It seems that the club has found its defensive structure, but Hildeby deserves a lot of credit for stepping in and getting the job done under trying circumstances.
Ville Husso 
Anaheim Ducks
Husso, who started this season with San Diego (AHL) was recently recalled when injuries impacted both Lukas Dostal and Petr Mrazek on the Ducks roster. He has won four of his last five starts, including all three last week, limiting the damage to only seven goals out of 88 shots that he faced (.920 save percentage). Husso is a veteran who has been a top goalie at times in his career, and his recent work should earn him a shot at more starts over the next three weeks until both starters return from injured reserve. Beyond that, it will be up to him to keep this pace to push for a greater role.
Fallers
Yaroslav Askarov 
San Jose Sharks
Askarov has been starting the majority of the Sharks games so far this season, already establishing a career high number of assignments. Last week, it looked like he was showing some fatigue as he dropped two of three starts, while surrendering 10 goals out of 69 shots on goal. Because he is the goalie of the future on this young team, management will tread carefully to not allow him to lose his confidence. He has been on the bench for the last two games in a clear attempt to allow him to rest up and reload for future assignments that surely will soon come his way.
Sam Montembeault and Jakub Dobes 
Montreal Canadiens
A strong start by the Canadiens has been slowly giving way to plenty of goals against and mounting losses, as the tandem of Montembeault and Dobes now ranks second last in the league in goals against average (3.55 GAA). That downturn has led to the call-up of Jacob Fowler from Laval (AHL). He's widely regarded as a top prospect, who posted a 10-5 record, along with a 2.09 GAA and .919 save percentage in the minors this season. It looks like he'll make his NHL debut this week.
Injury News
Andrei Vasilevskiy 
Tampa Lightning
Vasilevskiy has been out of the lineup for the last four games with an undisclosed injury. His timeline for a return is unknown. A prolonged absence would be a serious issue for the Lightning, as they have counted on Vasilevskiy to be their workhorse in the crease throughout his career. Jonas Johansson has been the starter in his absence (2.53 GAA, .907 save percentage in 12 appearances this season).
Connor Hellebuyck 
Winnipeg Jets
Hellebuyck, the reigning league MVP, has been sidelined with a knee since mid-November, and the Jets have struggled mightily in his absence, currently ranking sixth in the Central Division. He has resumed skating this week and is targeting a return right around the New Year. Career backup Eric Comrie has started 10 of the last 11 games for the Jets (3.16 GAA, .892 percentage in 14 appearances this season).
