The NHL’s Trophy Tracker series kicks off ahead of the 2026-27 season with a deep dive into the Vezina Trophy race, honoring the league’s best goaltender. This inaugural installment examines the key factors that define excellence between the pipes, from save percentage and goals-against averages to leadership and clutch performances. Fans and analysts alike will get a closer look at how goalies stack up as the campaign approaches, offering early insights into who might stand out in the most critical defensive position. The feature sets the stage for ongoing breakdowns of other major awards leading up to the playoffs.

To mark the beginning of the 2026-27 regular season, NHL.com is running its first installment of the Trophy Tracker series. Today, we look at the race for the Vezina Trophy, given annually to the top ...