The Chicago Blackhawks really scored big time in landing their franchise goalie as Spencer Knight has been the league’s best goaltender this season.
Knight, who signed a three-year extension at $5.83 million AAV before the season started, has been a big reason why the Blackhawks currently sit third in the very tough Central Division 16 games into the season. Chicago is 8-5-3 and has won three games in a row.
In terms of comparing Knight to the rest of the NHL, only 10 goalies have appeared in more games than him, and only four have recorded more wins. That’s not too bad for a young goalie behind a team that was expected to still be rebuilding.
A great measuring tool as to how good a goalie has played is the goals saved above expected (GSAx). Knight is the league leader in that category by a bit of a margin. He has a 13.32 GSAx, while second place is Connor Hellebuyck at 11.85 GSAx, and Lukas Dostal at 9.57 GSAx in third.
Hellebuyck is a multi-time Vezina winner and on a team that won the Presidents’ trophy last season, while Dostal is very good, but on another surprisingly good team in the Anaheim Ducks.
Knight is 6-3-2 on the season with a 2.33 GAA and .926 SV% to go along with one shutout, the sixth of his career.
The Blackhawks don’t need Knight to be the best goalie in the league year after year, but they definitely won’t complain and are using the great strength in net this season to their advantage. Knight’s play will keep the Blackhawks in the hunt for the playoffs longer than expected this season as long as he continues to hold his ground.
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