As the 2025-26 NHL season approaches its final stretch, the race for the Vezina Trophy is intensifying, with two netminders emerging as frontrunners in January: Logan Thompson of the Washington Capitals and Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders. While other goalies remain in contention, Thompson and Sorokin have distinguished themselves through consistently strong performances and statistical dominance.
Logan Thompson has been a revelation for the Capitals, carrying his breakout performance from last season into the current campaign. With a record of 15-12-4 through January, Thompson has solidified his position as the Capitals'primary goaltender, providing stability in a season where many expected the team to falter. His individual statistics speak volumes, including a 2.40 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage in 31 games. Thompson's even-strength save percentage of .915 ranks among the league's best for goalies with at least 20 games played. Thompson's play earned him a spot on Team Canada for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. According to NHL.com, Thompson has received seven first-place votes and 63 voting points from a 16-person panel.
Ilya Sorokin continues to be a stalwart for the Islanders, solidifying his reputation as one of the league's premier goaltenders. He has been instrumental in the Islanders'push for a playoff spot, showcasing his ability to steal games and provide a calming presence in net. Sorokin leads the league in shutouts since entering the NHL in the 2020-21 season, with 26. This season, the 30-year-old leads the NHL in high-danger save percentage (.877) and high-danger saves (235). Sorokin's outstanding play has positioned him as a favorite for the Vezina Trophy.
While Thompson and Sorokin have established themselves as the frontrunners, several other goaltenders remain in the mix. Scott Wedgewood of the Colorado Avalanche, Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars, and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning are all having strong seasons and could challenge for the award. Wedgewood, in particular, boasts the league's lowest goals-against average at 2.20. Vasilevskiy, a former Vezina winner and perennial contender, is displaying his usual brilliance after recovering from an injury.
The race for the Vezina Trophy is far from over, and the coming months will be crucial in determining the ultimate winner. Thompson and Sorokin have set the pace, but the other contenders are more than capable of closing the gap. As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to watch how these talented netminders perform under pressure and vie for the title of the NHL's best goaltender.
