Earlier, we kicked off April by chronicling the top NHL scorers in 2022 (since Jan. 1). To wrap up our take a look at the most popular gamers from the previous few months, let’s give defensemen and goalies the identical therapy.
Prime NHL scoring defensemen in 2022 (since Jan. 1)
1. Roman Josi: 52 factors in 35 video games performed
2. Cale Makar: 49 factors in 41 GP
3. Kris Letang: 39 factors in 39 GP
4. Adam Fox: 35 factors in 33 GP
5. Aaron Ekblad: 32 factors in 31 GP
6(t). Victor Hedman: 30 factors in 33 GP
6(t). Charlie McAvoy: 30 factors in 39 GP
8(t). Devon Toews: 29 factors in 41 GP
8(t). Morgan Rielly: 29 factors in 37 GP
10. Damon Severson: 27 factors in 34 GP
11(t). Noah Dobson, Brent Burns, Rasmus Andersson, Quinn Hughes: 26 factors
-
Really, Roman Josi and Cale Makar are having fun with seasons to recollect. Most defensemen would think about a 52 point-season a profession 12 months. For the reason that 2005-06 lockout, there have solely been 163 cases the place defensemen generated no less than 50 factors. General, Josi’s 81 factors already put him at third-best throughout that very same body; Josi joined Brent Burns (83 factors), Erik Karlsson (82), and Nicklas Lidstrom (80) as the one 4 defensemen to clear 80+ factors within the wage cap period.
-
Cale Makar’s scored virtually half (11) of his 24 objectives since Jan. 1. Victor Hedman (12) is the one defensemen with extra objectives throughout that span, and the one different blueliner in double digits.
-
Impressively, many of those defensemen don’t sacrifice a lot — if something — in their very own finish whereas piling up factors. Don’t low cost how spectacular whether it is that Josi and Makar are placing up historic offensive numbers with out actually struggling on protection. Think about, as an example, their excellent RAPM charts at even-strength, via Evolving Hockey:
[Click here for even more on the monster seasons from Josi and Makar]
-
As you’ll be able to see, seven defensemen have generated 30+ factors since Jan. 1. Twenty-six have scored at least 20 points.
-
Might Charlie McAvoy develop into greater than only a darkish horse Norris Trophy candidate over time? With different elite defensemen placing up huge numbers, maybe not. However he’s scoring sufficient to seize extra limelight.
-
Seth Jones‘ season is rather interesting. With 22 points in his past 34 games, you might think it’s been empty energy (particularly for those who put weight within the near-useless plus/minus stat, as he slogged through a -22 mark during that time). Over his first season with Chicago, it’s Jones’ offense which will want probably the most work:
-
Rounding out another names that stand out, we now have John Klingberg (24 factors in his previous 35 video games) and Rasmus Dahlin (23 factors in 34 GP). Possibly Klingberg will get the contract he’s hoping for? Maybe there’s hope for Dahlin and the Sabres?
Prime NHL goalies in 2022 (since Jan. 1)
Most wins since Jan. 1
Jacob Markstrom: 20-7-3, .923 save proportion
Sergei Bobrovsky: 20-3-1, .916
Igor Shesterkin: 18-5-1, .938
Darcy Kuemper: 18-4-3, .935
Juuse Saros: 18-11-2, .919
Tristan Jarry: 18-9-2, .912
Frederik Andersen: 17-5-3, .928
Jake Oettinger, 17-9-1, .914
Andrei Vasilevskiy: 17-10-1, .911
Ilya Sorokin: 15-7-2, .928
Ville Husso: 15-4-3, .921
-
No, wins aren’t the best metric for measuring goalies. Think about them a starting-off level, although.
-
Igor Shesterkin’s glowing .938 save proportion isn’t a lot of a shock. General, he sports activities a .936 save proportion this season, and the sometimes-leaky Rangers protection signifies that his underlying numbers are someway even higher. His HockeyViz chart captures a few of what makes this season historic.
-
Might workload dampen issues a bit for the likes of Saros and Vasilevskiy? I can’t assist however marvel if every goalie might use some breathers. Tampa Bay could or could not imagine that it might threat a loss or two to maintain Vasilevskiy recent. (They’ve typically ignored my “advice” previously, as produce other rest-disinterested NHL groups.)
A couple of different goalies of notice
-
Little question, Darcy Kuemper’s climb again to sturdy numbers makes the Avalanche that a lot scarier. Pavel Francouz put up stable numbers at instances for Colorado, too — when he’s been wholesome. He missed all of final season, although, in order that’s removed from a certain factor. Nonetheless, do notice that Francouz is 13-2-1 with a powerful .921 save proportion over his final 16 video games performed. It’s attainable the Avalanche might have two high quality goalie choices for the playoffs.
-
Sure, Tuukka Rask’s retirement stings the Bruins. Don’t completely low cost Jeremy Swayman, nonetheless, as he’s gone 12-4-1 with a .922 save proportion in his previous 18 video games. (The Bruins’ sturdy defensive construction ought to carry out the most effective in Swayman and/or Linus Ullmark.)
-
Unsure Ottawa ought to hand any goalie a contract with time period. Credit score the place credit score’s due, Anton Forsberg‘s managed a .925 save percentage since Jan. 1.
-
Maybe Scott Wedgewood has fantasy hockey sleeper potential for the rest of the season? In his past 13 games, Wedegwood’s managed a powerful .927 save proportion. That features his lone Stars look to this point, the place Wedgwood made 44 saves. If the Stars actually gave Wedgewood a shot, he’d have an actual probability to show himself. (Many nights, the Stars play video games the place principally nobody scores outdoors of their high line.)
-
Lastly, it’s amusing that Cam Talbot and Marc-Andre Fleury boast matching .907 save percentages since 2022 started. Each have 12 wins throughout that span, although Talbot received there in 19 video games and MAF wanted 27. Scorching take: it will likely be simpler for Fleury to win video games on the Wild.
—
James O’Brien is a author for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or observe him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.
Josi, Shesterkin, more: Top NHL defensemen, goalies so far in 2022 initially appeared on NBCSports.com
