NHL: Ranking the starting goaltenders of the Metropolitan Division

Ilya Samsonov was a wild card on this list, as his solid numbers could have moved him as high as five. Instead, he comes in at seven, predominately due to his lack of a track record, despite his numbers being eerily similar to the two men in front of him.

Samsonov finished 2019-20 with a 16-6-2 record, with a 2.55 GAA and a .913 SV%. He had a QS% of 59.1, minimizing his RBS to just 2. His play needed to be solid and not outstanding for the Capitals to get to where they wanted to go, and his 2.30 GSAA, .795 HDSV%, and 1.62 HDGAA dictate that.

At just 23-years old, Samsonov will have the ability to take the starting reigns full time in 2021, a season that will truly show us if he is a legitimate number one or still needs time to qualify as such.

Semyon Varlamov was rarely called upon to be exceptional due to the Islanders’ defensive structure, but he was reliable, stopping everything needed of him. He put together a nice record of 19-14-6 to go along with a 2.62 GAA and a .914 SV%.

His QS% was slightly above the league average of 53% at 53.8%, replicating his sturdy presence amidst the Islanders’ phenomenal defense. Four of his starts qualified as RBS, but his GSAA of 5.56 placed him ahead of his Metropolitan Division foes Hart and Korpisalo.

Varlamov possessed a .812 HDSV% and a 1.56 HDGAA, demonstrating his ability to stop the necessary shots from winning. The veteran’s presence in the net is not overwhelming, but he is the perfect netminder for the Isles, grooming Ilya Sorokin to be his replacement.