The NHL (National Hockey League) began in 1926 and has witnessed exceptional players and intense games to claim the championship. Strikers are generally popular because they score points, but goalies play a pivotal role in winning matches. Over the NHL seasons, the best hockey goalies have proved this by saving a plethora of goals and making records. But who is the best of the best? To find the answer to this question, we ranked the top 10 ice hockey goalies of the NHL. We are picking names based on their previous performances and ranking them based on the winning percentage shown on Wikipedia and other reputed sites.
10- Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Kiprusoff is a Finnish former professional ice hockey goalie who played in the NHL between 2000 and 2013. He had a glorious career and is the 10th-best goalie NHL. The Finnish player earned awards like Urpo Ylonen and Jari Kurri trophies in 19999 and was an NHL first-team All-Star in 2006.
Win Percentage: 51.20%
9- Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist is another prominent name among the best hockey goalies of all time in the NHL. The former professional ice hockey player played for the New York Rangers from 2000 to 2020. He played 887 regular season games and recorded 459 wins. Lundqvist has unbelievable records, such as being the only goalie in NHL history to record 30 wins in the first 7 seasons.
Win Percentage: 51.75%
8- Jacques Plante
Many ice hockey fans regard Jacques Plante as the best ice hockey goalie of all time, and for a good reason. Jacques was added to the Hockey, Canada Sports and World Hockey Association Hall of Fames in 1978, 1981, and 2010, respectively. His career spanned from 1947 to 1975, with occasional gaps.
Win Percentage: 52.21%
7- Dominik Hasek
Dominik Hasek is a name that must be remembered when talking about the best hockey goalies. During a marvellous career spanning from 1980 to 2011, he played in 735 regular season games of the NHL and recorded 389 wins. Dominik used to play for the Ottawa Senators and is a Czech former professional ice hockey player.
Win Percentage: 52.93%
6- Patrick Roy
From the Colorado Avalanche, the former Canadian ice hockey player Patrick Roy is next to be called the best goalie NHL. He played between 1984 and 2003, saving several goals for his team and then started coaching in 2005. One of the best hockey goalies, Patrick set records, such as playing most NHL playoffs (247), most playoff wins by a goaltender (151), etc.
Win Percentage: 53.54%
5- Chris Osgood
Chris Osgood, a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, used to play for the Detroit Red Wings. He is the first goaltender since Terry Sawchuk to win Stanley Cups for 10 years and 4th all-time NHL leader in win percentage (60%). This helped Chris to become one of the best hockey goalies of all time.
Win Percentage: 53.90%
4- Pekka Rinne
The Finnish former professional ice hockey player is the 4th best goalie NHL. This talented player played from 2001 to 2021. In his career, Pekka played in 683 regular NHL seasons and recorded an impressive 369 wins. He secured the Vezina Trophy in 2018, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2021, and many other awards, achieving feats most players just dream of.
Win Percentage: 54.03%
3- Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur is 3rd among the best hockey goalies of all time. He is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey goaltender who played between 1991 and 2005. Brodeur used to play for the New Jersey Devils and had a great career, with achievements like being the EA Sports NHL Cover Athlete in 2014, winning the Vezina, Calder Memorial, and William M. Jennings Trophies.
Win Percentage: 54.48%
2- Tuukka Rask
The 37-year-old Tuukka Rask plays for the Boston Bruins and has played in 564 NHL regular seasons, winning 308 matches. Tuukka Rask is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who has created records like recording the most wins by a goaltender in franchise history, the longest season-opening home point streak in Boston Bruins history, and much more. Due to this, he is often regarded as the best ice hockey goalie of all time.
Win Percentage: 54.61%
1- Marc-Andre Fleury
Marc-Andre Fleury is no. 1 among the best hockey goalies in the NHL. He plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins and has participated in 1,025 winning 561 matches. As a Canadian professional ice hockey player, 40-year-old Fleury earned a reputation for his country by securing the Mike Bossy Trophy in 2003, becoming the Stanley Cup Champion, and achieving many other feats.
Win Percentage: 54.73%
The NHL (National Hockey League) is regarded as the world’s top hockey league. The exceptionally talented ice hockey players, including iconic goalies, entering the tournament regularly have helped this competition earn its honour.