Top 5 Performing Goalies So Far in 2015

Playing probably the most important position in the game comes with incredible pressure and stress. Only the best can handle the grueling task of being a goaltender in the NHL, and here I wanted to look at the top five performing goalies of the current season as the morning of November 24th. Let's have at it!

#5: Cory Schneider - New Jersey Devils

Cory Schneider has fit in nicely as the replacement for the retired New Jersey great Martin Brodeur. He is currently posting a record of 10-5-1 in 16 games played for the Devils. Schneider's 2.05 GAA is impressive playing for a team who is not the strongest on defense. After playing second fiddle to Roberto Luongo in Vancouver for a number of years, Schneider was traded to New Jersey and has established himself as a clear-cut number one goaltender and one of the top goaltenders in the league. A .928 save percentage has put Schneider in the top class of the league. He's been averaging around that number for most of his career. 

#4: Martin Jones - San Jose Sharks

After a fairly crazy offseason experience that included being traded twice on the same day, from Los Angeles to Boston, then Boston to San Jose, Martin Jones has looked incredibly solid for his new San Jose team. An 11-5-0 record with a 2.02 GAA average has Jones looking to be one of the top goalies come end of the season. While in Los Angeles, Jones spent his two seasons as the backup to Jonathan Quick which gave him an incredible goalie and mentor  to learn off of. Jones has clearly used that to his advantage, becoming San Jose's number one goalie for the 2015 season 

#3: Jake Allen - St. Louis Blues

Jake Allen has emerged as the survivor of the goalie whirlwind in St. Louis between him and Brian Elliot. 10-4-1 is the current record posted by Allen with 16 games between the pipes. Allen has been flip-flopping as the number one with Brian Elliot for a few seasons now, but to start 2015 he has been the better of the two and solidified himself as the go-to. The 1.98 GAA and the .932 save percentage are propelling Allen to the top of the goalie list. He has been dynamite in net for the Blues and will hopefully continue this pace deep into the season. 

#2: Braden Holtby - Washington Capitals 

Braden Holtby has been a force in net for the Capitals of late. He has backstopped them to some solid playoff runs and has always had solid regular season performances. Currently in 2015 he is posting a record of 12-4-0 with a fantastic GAA of 1.88 and a .926 save percentage. "Holt-beast" offers more than just a decent beard. He offers stud performances and is a big body between the pipes for the Capitals. Holtby's quick reflexes and flexibility help him earn these strong numbers. Look for him to be a candidate for the Vezina Trophy come the end of the season. 

#1: Henrik Lundqvist - New York Rangers

Without question, the best goalie in the NHL and my prediction to win the Vezina Trophy sits atop the goalie list this far into the season. Henrik Lundvist has been absolutely dominant in his entire NHL career with the Rangers. Sitting with a 12-3-2 record, an outstanding 1.74 GAA, and a save percentage of .946, King Henrik is always atop the league leaders in in stats. No other goalie has been as good between the pipes as him the last few years, and Lundqvist will be an elite goalie for many more years to come. He led his team to a birth in the Stanley Cup Final just two seasons ago, and after a recent loss in the conference final, The King looks to backstop his squad to another birth and to his first Stanley Cup win.