As the third month of the NHL rolls on in 2021/22, the Carolina Hurricanes currently sit at 16-6-1 (33 points) third in the Metropolitan Division. They are only behind the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals. Also, the Hurricanes sit as the seventh-best team in the league points-wise. One of the main reasons for this start to the season is goaltender Frederik Andersen. This raises a question not only in Raliegh but in the league as a whole; could this be a Vezina winning season for Andersen?
The Stats Backup Andersen’s Case for Vezina
When looking into the stats for the 2021/22 so far as a whole, Andersen does have a case to possibly win the Vezina. Currently, Andersen sits at an 11-5 record with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.04 and a save percentage of .928. Furthermore, he has also managed to record a shutout while also having two assists on the year. When comparing his GAA and save percentage to other goalies around the league, Andersen is reasonably high in those regards. Andersen sits 12th in save percentage and ninth in GAA. Although, that is also factoring in goalies who have played either one to six games this season compared to goalies who’ve played 11-plus games.
Nonetheless, Andersen has played phenomenally well this season. Plus, he did have that start to the season where he went nine-straight games with a win. Furthermore, he is still currently on a great run as mentioned before with a 2.04 GAA and a save percentage well above .920. Grant it there is still a lot of hockey to be played, Andersen looks poised to possibly be in that conversation to win the Vezina this season. It just has to come down to the Carolina Hurricanes playing solid defense while he keeps on his great start in the net.
All in all, the NHL and the fans around the league need to keep an eye on Andersen because he is having a season like no other in Carolina. That is a large part of Rod Brind’Amour’s system and how great the defense has been for Andersen. Plus, his play does speak for itself as well. By the awards ceremony, there’s a chance to see Frederik Andersen lifting the Vezina when it’s all said and done.
My name is Zach Martin, the Carolina Hurricanes writer for Belly Up Hockey at Belly Up Sports. Follow me on Twitter for the most up-to-date Hurricanes content and news. I’m a co-host on a hockey podcast, The Lamplighters, that talks about all things NHL and mental health.
