NHL: Ranking the starting goaltenders of the Metropolitan Division

Igor Shesterkin suited up for his first game in January with the highest expectations and immediately shattered them, winning 10 of his 12 starts. Had he not suffered fractured ribs in an unfortunate car accident, he may have thrust his name into the Calder conversation.

Shesterkin finished his first 12 NHL games with a GAA of 2.52, a .932 SV%, and one RBS. Amazingly he recorded a QS% of 75, trailing only Darcey Kuemper (greater than 5 GP) and a GSAA of 9.34 despite playing so few games. With an amazing HDSV% of .849 and a solid HDGAA of 1.56, Shesterkin would clearly have rivaled the two netminders in front of him in a full season.

At 24-years old, the Russian netminder has a wealth of experience at the KHL and international levels that allow an accurate picture of his ability despite his limited NHL experience. If Shesterkin’s history of success holds up in 2021, it will come as a shock to none if he is viewed as the Metropolitan Division’s best goaltender at the season’s end.

Taking over the starting job from two-time Stanley Cup Champion Matt Murray, Jarry quietly pieced together an All-Star 2019-20 season. Racking up a 20-12-1 record with a superb .921 SV% and 2.43 GAA, Jarry helped get the inconsistent Penguins into the Qualifying Round as a fifth-seed.

The reason Jarry failed to surpass Hart for the top spot is due to his poor high-danger numbers. He ranked 49th with an HDSV% of .805 and 30th in HDGAA with a 1.46, both well behind Hart. Jarry didn’t stop as many high-danger chances as his cross-state rival, but he did have a higher GSAA at 11.07 and a similar QS% at 61.3.

Jarry took his first opportunity at the NHL level and ran with it, making his former teammate Murray an expendable piece. Part of that run included a minuscule total of just 3 RBS in 31 starts, a number that dictates just how consistent Jarry was all season for Pittsburgh.

At 22-years of age, Carter Hart has already established himself as a legitimate number one goaltender in the NHL. It would seem obvious putting him as the number one goalie in the division, but he just barely claimed the first spot by a slim 4-3 statistical margin over the number two ranked netminder.

Hart was an impressive 24-13-3 in 2019-20, backstopping the Flyers to the second spot in the division. He had a 2.42 GAA and a .914 SV% to go along with 9 RBS but really was impressive when diving into the advanced analytics. His GSAA was a mediocre 4.46, but a 62.5 QS% ranked 13 amongst the league goaltenders.

He owned an impressive .820 HDSV% as well as a very solid 1.32 HDGAA, per Natural Stat Trick, each finishing higher than the number two ranked Tristian Jarry. Overall, Hart was excellent in every aspect of the position, playing well above his age throughout his 40 starts.