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The Pacific Division of NHL goaltenders sparked a debate among hockey fans when the NHL Network asked the following question on X (formerly Twitter):
"Who is the best goalie in the Pacific Division?"
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The options were John Gibson, Dustin Wolf, Stuart Skinner, Darcy Kuemper, Mackenzie Blackwood, Joey Daccord, Thatcher Demko and Adin Hill.
Fans quickly discussed their picks and gave their opinion on who they believe is the best NHL goaltender among the group.
"Never realized how horrific the goaltending in the pacific is," one fan said.
"Demko when he’s healthy and it’s not close," another fan replied.
"STUUUUUUU idgaf what pretenders wanna say Try .938 save% in Games 4 to 7 when it matters! In his 2nd year," one fan passionately wrote about Skinner.
Here are some more fan reactions on X:
In the end, the answer to the best goalie debate in the Pacific Division is subjective. It depends on the goalie's health and fitness level, but a majority of fans favored Demko in the top spot.
Thatcher Demko, Stuart Skinner and Adin Hill are among the best Pacific Division NHL goaltenders
Vancouver Canucks' Thatcher Demko stood out in terms of stats. Last season, he played 51 games and won 35 of them. He had a goals-against average of 2.45 and a save percentage of .918. His performance, which included five shutouts, showed his ability to keep his team competitive.
On the other hand, Edmonton Oilers' Stuart Skinner had a slower start to the 2023-24 season; but the upside was he led his team to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. He played 59 games and won 36. His goals-against average was 2.62, with a save percentage of .905. His late-season surge was impressive and surely made fans take notice.
As for the other goalies, John Gibson has been known for his technical skills despite his team’s struggles. Adin Hill was a key contributor to the Vegas Golden Knights’ early success, and Darcy Kuemper remained a consistent presence in the league.
Meanwhile, Mackenzie Blackwood and Joey Daccord are younger goalies who have a lot of potential. Dustin Wolf, though struggling in the NHL, also has a strong background in the AHL.
That said, which NHL goaltender do you think is the best? Let us know in the comments below.
