Debating Where Lehner/Brossoit Rank Amongst the NHL's Best Tandems?

2 of 2

The Vegas Golden Knights have been known for a lot different things since coming into the league. Since 2017, the Knights have looked to remain consistent playoff contenders which has resulted in them making block buster moves quite frequently. However, the one thing that hasn’t been talked about enough is their ability to have two top tier goalies at all times.

When the Vegas Golden Knights became NHL’s 31st official team, there weren’t a lot of expectations set around the locker room. Obviously, they wanted to come in and compete, but that is hard to do when you are building a team full of sub-par players. In contrast to that, there is one thing you can do in order to make a winning organization in one year- get a dependable goalie in net. That’s exactly what they did.

Matt Murray, an upcoming goaltender at the time went protected during the expansion draft which left hall of famer, Marc-Andre Fleury available. The Knights, knowing that you only get one chance to have a goalie of Fleury’s caliber, selected him from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Little did they know this pick did more than just give them a great player, but a cornerstone and a building block for the future of Vegas hockey.

Looking ahead a couple seasons, the Vegas Golden Knights had to make a move in order to clear some cap space which led to the Knights trading away Marc-Andre Fleury to the Chicago Blackhawks and keeping goalie, Robin Lehner.

After trading away Fleury, the Vegas Golden Knights went and signed Laurent Brossoit in free agency who’s actually performed very well this season. In fact, his previous performance was a shutout against the Edmonton Oilers. But the question need’s to be asked, where does the goalie tandem of Lehner and Brossoit rank amongst others in the league?

Laurent Brossoit and Robin Lehner together. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Where do the Vegas Golden Knights Goalies Rank Amongst the NHL’s Best Tandems?

The Vegas Golden Knights are currently leading the pacific division with 59 points and a record of 28-16-3. However, is that a testimate to how great the Golden Knights offense has been? Or does it give props to the goalies for continuously going out there and locking it down? My take- A little bit of both.

The Vegas goalies have actually performed very well, but as I said the question that needs to be asked is: Where do Lehner and Brossoit rank amongst some of the leagues best goalie tandems?

There are a lot of teams that have great goalie tandems such as the Toronto Maple Leafs with Campbell and Mrazek, the New York Islanders with Varlamov and Sorokin, and the Boston Bruins with Ullmark and Swayman. So let’s take a look at what the stats say.

Ranking the Goalie Tandems in the NHL

Carolina Hurricanes: The Carolina Hurricanes have by far and away been one of the best goaltending teams in the NHL this season. Between Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta, there is no denying just how good the Hurricanes are. Andersen, who’s probably the favorite for the Vezina Trophy, has been the backbone to the Hurricanes success. However, In Raanta’s 11 games started, he currently has a 2.39 GAA and a .909 save percentage.
Calgary Flames: The Calgary Flames currently hold the seventh seed in the western conference, but that isn’t to take away from how well the Flames have played this season. Jacob Markstrom is the third ranked goalie in goals allowed average with more than 15 starts with 2.20. Not to mention a save percentage of .923. Vladar on the other hand has started in nine games and has a goals allowed average of 2.64 and a save percentage of .911.
New York Islanders: The New York Islanders duo between Seymon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin is one of the best in the league. Varlamov missed multiple games to start the year which led Sorokin to getting a majority of the starts early on. However, that hasn’t stopped Varlamov from performing in his given chances. Varlamov has started in 13 games this season for the Islanders. In those 13 games he has a goals allowed average of 2.57 and a save percentage of .916. Those starts are really, really good. However, Sorokin’s are even better. Sorokin has started in 26 games and has a goals allowed average of only 2.31 and a save percentage of .924.
Boston Bruins: Without Tuuka Rask, there were uncertainties that pertained to the goalie position prior to the season. Looking ahead to today, that’s not really anything they should’ve been worried about. Between Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, the goalie position has been the least of the Bruins problems. Ullmark has started in 23 games for the Bruins so far and has a goals allowed average of 2.64 and a save percentage of .913. Swayman on the other hand has played in 17 games all the while positing a 2.35 GAA and a Save percentage of .914.
Los Angeles Kings: The Los Angeles Kings coming into the year had one of the better goalie tandems but that was all speculation. It’s one thing to think, it’s another to see- well, we’re seeing. Calvin Peterson and Jonathan Quick have been great goaltenders for the Los Angeles Kings this season and they show no signs of slowing down. With Peterson averaging only 2.67 goals allowed and Quick a 2.60, they are both equal in those categories.
Vegas Golden Knights: Now we are here and the Vegas Golden Knights are officially ranked as my number sixth tandem. Between Lehner and Brossoit, the Knights have been able to depend on the likes of both goalies. Lehner this season has started 33 games and in those 33 games he’s posted a 2.76 GAA and a .910 save percentage. Furthermore, his counter-part, Brossoit, has started 13 games and has very similar numbers. Brossoit has a 2.66 GAA and a .905 save percentage.

Home / Editorials