Great hockey goalies stand out because they stop more shots than anyone else. Save percentage shows how often a goalie makes a save and remains one of the clearest ways to judge performance across eras.
Dominik Hasek and Ken Dryden hold the highest all-time NHL save percentage at .922 among goalies with long careers. That number explains why their names still define elite goaltending and why teams trusted them in the biggest moments.
This topic also covers how save percentage works. It looks at recent season leaders, playoff performers, and how workload and team play affect results.
Understanding Save Percentage in Hockey
Save percentage shows how often a goalie stops shots on goal. Coaches, analysts, and fans use it to judge steady performance across games and seasons.
The stat helps explain why some goalies rank among the greatest, even when teams differ in strength.
Definition and Calculation
Save percentage measures the share of shots a goalie stops during play. The formula is simple: saves divided by shots on goal.
The result appears as a decimal, such as .915. For example, if a goalie faces 30 shots and allows 3 goals, they make 27 saves for a .900 save percentage.
This number updates every game and changes quickly with strong or weak outings. Blocked shots and missed nets do not affect the stat.
Significance as a Goaltender Statistic
Teams value save percentage because it focuses on the goalie’s main job: stopping the puck. Wins depend on scoring support, but save percentage does not.
In most pro leagues, a save percentage near .900 signals below-average play. Numbers around .915 or higher often reflect strong or elite seasons.
The best save percentage over a career often belongs to goalies who played many games at a high level. Leaders like Dominik Hasek and Ken Dryden sit near the top of the all-time save percentage leaders.
Comparison With Other Goalie Metrics
Save percentage works best when viewed with other goalie stats. Each metric highlights a different part of performance.
| Metric | What It Measures | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Save Percentage | Shot-stopping rate | Ignores shot quality |
| Goals Against Average | Goals allowed per game | Depends on team defense |
| Wins | Games won | Tied to team scoring |
| Shutouts | Games with no goals allowed | Rare and situational |
Save percentage stays more stable than wins or shutouts. It also reacts faster than goals against average.
All-Time NHL Save Percentage Leaders
Career save percentage shows how often a goalie stops shots over many seasons. The leaders combine skill, consistency, and the ability to perform under heavy pressure.
Several eras and playing styles appear across the top of the list.
Dominik Hasek and the Top Career Performers
Dominik Hasek holds the highest career save percentage in NHL history at .922, based on goalies with long careers and heavy workloads. QuantHockey lists him at the top of the all-time NHL save percentage leaders.
He played 735 games and faced a high volume of shots. Ken Dryden also finished with a .922 save percentage, though in fewer games.
Other top career performers include Tuukka Rask, Ben Bishop, and Tim Thomas, all near .920 or higher. Roberto Luongo and Henrik Lundqvist rank slightly lower but maintained strong numbers across very long careers.
Modern Standouts in Save Percentage
Recent goalies continue to post elite save percentages despite faster play and more shots from high-danger areas. Connor Hellebuyck, Igor Shesterkin, and Ilya Sorokin all sit around the .917 range for their careers.
StatMuse confirms that Hasek still leads all goalies in career save percentage among qualified players, with modern names close behind on the NHL goalie save percentage leaderboard.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Carey Price, and Pekka Rinne also rank highly while handling heavy minutes as clear starters. Goalies like Robin Lehner, Cory Schneider, Corey Crawford, and Juuse Saros show how strong save rates can appear across different team situations.
Historic Context and Era Adjustments
Save percentage depends on era, rules, and team defense. Bernie Parent played in a time with fewer shots and different scoring patterns, which affects direct comparison with modern goalies.
Early careers also saw less specialization and fewer backups. Modern goalies face more shots from close range, but they benefit from better equipment and coaching.
Players such as Tomas Vokoun, Antti Raanta, Jaroslav Halak, Semyon Varlamov, Anton Khudobin, and Sergei Bobrovsky reflect this balance between difficulty and preparation.
Career length also matters. A goalie like Luongo or Price kept a strong save percentage across 700 or more games, while shorter-career goalies often rank high due to smaller samples.
Recent Season Save Percentage Leaders
Recent NHL seasons show clear separation between elite starters, steady veterans, and young goalies pushing into larger roles. Save percentage trends highlight how team defense, workload, and consistency shape goalie rankings.
2025-26 NHL Save Percentage Rankings
Early data from the 2025‑26 season shows Jesper Wallstedt near the top of league leaders with a .933 save percentage, according to NHL save percentage leaders this season. He reached that mark while meeting minimum games played thresholds.
Small sample sizes still affect some rankings. Victor Ostman briefly appeared at the top with a perfect rate, as noted by 2024‑25 and early 2025‑26 goalie save percentage rankings.
Established starters like Jeremy Swayman, Linus Ullmark, and Connor Hellebuyck continue to hover near the top tier. Teams value these goalies because their numbers hold steady over long stretches.
Breakout Performances and Rising Stars
Several younger or lesser‑known goalies posted strong save rates and earned more trust. Pyotr Kochetkov improved his positioning and rebound control, helping Carolina limit second chances.
Artur Akhtyamov gained attention for calm play in limited starts. Coaches value his ability to slow games down, even behind inconsistent defense.
Veterans also revived their numbers. Alex Nedeljkovic and Casey DeSmith delivered reliable save percentages in shared workloads.
Scott Wedgewood filled in effectively when injuries hit. Advanced tracking from NHL goalie advanced stats for 2025‑26 shows fewer goalies well above average, making these improvements stand out.
Top Teams and Their Elite Goalies
Strong teams rely on elite netminding. Adin Hill supports Vegas with controlled rebounds and few low‑danger goals allowed.
Thatcher Demko anchors the Vancouver Canucks with heavy usage and stable results. The New York Rangers trust Alexandar Georgiev to manage tough shot volume.
The Florida Panthers continue to lean on Sergei Bobrovsky. The Winnipeg Jets benefit from steady top‑tier goaltending.
Clubs like the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, and Los Angeles Kings spread starts to protect save percentage over long seasons. Team systems play a major role, but elite goalies still separate themselves through consistency.
Playoff Save Percentage Heroes
Playoff hockey puts goalies under constant pressure. Save percentage shows how well they stop shots when games matter most.
Highest Save Percentage in Playoff History
Some goalies lead the record books by stopping shots at an elite rate across many playoff games. According to the list of best playoff save percentage leaders in NHL history, Tim Thomas sits at the top with a .933 mark over 51 games.
He played aggressively and tracked shots well through traffic. Igor Shesterkin, Tuukka Rask, and Ben Bishop also rank near the top.
Each posted numbers around .925 or better while facing heavy shot volumes. Dominik Hasek and Carey Price appear slightly lower, yet both played far more games.
| Goalie | Playoff SV% | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Thomas | .933 | 51 |
| Igor Shesterkin | .928 | 44 |
| Tuukka Rask | .925 | 104 |
| Ben Bishop | .924 | 52 |
Clutch Goaltending Performances
Save percentage highlights key moments. Tim Thomas delivered one of the clearest examples during the 2011 Final, including a dominant Game 7, as shown in this breakdown of great NHL goalie playoff performances.
He faced constant pressure and allowed very few goals. Henrik Lundqvist built a reputation for strong elimination games with the Rangers.
Andrei Vasilevskiy carried Tampa Bay through deep runs with calm, repeatable play. Roberto Luongo, Semyon Varlamov, and Jaroslav Halak each had short playoff stretches where they stole series.
Recent goalies like Jeremy Swayman, Anton Khudobin, and Robin Lehner showed how a few strong games can swing momentum. Their numbers reflect focus, positioning, and control under stress.
Goalies With the Most Saves
Goalies who rank high in most saves often play heavy minutes and face high shot volumes. Their totals reflect durability, team context, and steady performance over long stretches or demanding seasons.
Workhorses of the Crease
Career save totals reward goalies who stay healthy and start often. Names like Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur dominate all-time NHL saves leaders because they played many seasons as clear starters.
In recent years, teams rely on modern workhorses to absorb pressure. Juuse Saros, Connor Hellebuyck, and Ilya Sorokin face heavy shot counts and still post strong results.
Their teams lean on them night after night. Other goalies contribute through short bursts or shared roles.
Jordan Binnington, Alexandar Georgiev, and Philipp Grubauer pile up saves during playoff runs or high-start seasons. Depth goalies like Casey DeSmith, Anton Forsberg, Scott Wedgewood, Adin Hill, Pyotr Kochetkov, and Alex Nedeljkovic add value when injuries or schedules force extended action.
Comparing Total Saves and Save Percentages
Total saves and save percentage measure different skills. High save totals often mean a goalie faces many shots, not that he stops a higher share of them.
Career records tracked by Hockey-Reference save totals show this gap clearly. Elite goalies can rank high in both areas, but context matters.
A goalie on a weaker defensive team may record more saves while allowing more goals. A goalie on a strong team may see fewer shots but post a better rate.
Readers should view saves alongside workload, team defense, and consistency. These details explain why save totals alone never tell the full story.
What Influences Save Percentage?
Save percentage reflects more than a goalie’s skill alone. Team structure, shot danger, rules, and gear all shape the numbers that decide the best save percentage over a career or season.
Team Defense and Shot Quality
Team defense directly affects save percentage. Strong defenders limit rebounds and block passing lanes.
They also force shots from poor angles. Weak coverage allows close-range chances that lower results quickly.
Shot quality matters as much as shot count. A goalie facing 25 low-danger shots usually posts a higher rate than one facing 20 prime chances.
Analysts explain how shot location, traffic, and speed affect results in guides on what determines a hockey goalie’s save percentage.
Key defensive factors that affect save percentage:
- Slot coverage and gap control
- Rebound control by defensemen
- Penalty kill structure
- Turnovers that lead to odd-man rushes
Rule Changes and Equipment Evolution
League rules and goalie gear have changed save percentage trends over time. Crackdowns on obstruction increased shot quality by giving shooters more space.
Faster play reduced reaction time. Equipment also shaped results.
Larger pads once boosted numbers. The NHL later reduced pad size to balance scoring.
Save percentage itself stays simple. It measures saves divided by shots faced, as explained in clear breakdowns of how save percentage is calculated in hockey.
Era-related influences include:
| Factor | Effect on Save Percentage |
|---|---|
| Pad size limits | Fewer blocked shots |
| Faster rules | More high-danger chances |
| Video scouting | Better shooter accuracy |
These changes shape how goalies perform across different NHL eras.
