Here you will find articles and interviews in the world of hockey
Top 1980’s NHL Goalies
By George D’Alessandro
To qualify for our Top NHL goalies of the 1980’s the goalies must have played five seasons in which they played at least 40 games.
The scoring system is devised on wins, lost, goals allowed, goals allowed per game, shutouts, saves and save percentage for the years they played and what they averaged in the years they played in the decade. Bonus points were awarded for leading the league in a category mentioned above, All-Star games, All-Pro sections as well as earning league awards and Hall of Fame.
Honorable Mention Don Beaupre
Number 10 Greg Millen, Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers and StL. Blues. During the decade Millen placed in a three way tie for shutouts (130, first in saves (13,923) second in wins (165). Millen win percentage was at the bottom of the list while playing for teams that struggled to wins games
Number nine Kelly Hrudy, New York Islanders, Los Angles Kings. During the decade of the 80’s qualified for seven seasons in our scoring system. Hrudy earned bonus points for leading the NHL in saves during the 88-89 season when he played for the Islanders and Kings turning aside 1,791 shots. Kelly placed fourth in shutouts with nine during the decade.
Number eight John Vanbiesbrouck, New York Rangers Vansbiesbrouck earned bonus points claiming the 85-86 Vezina,while also leading the NHL in wins in the same season also earning first team netminder.. In the six seasons in which he qualified he won 135 games between the pipes. During the 80’s his seven shutouts placed him fourth in our scoring algorithm.
Number seven Rejean Lemelin Calgary Flame and Boston Bruins. During the six season Lemelin met the criteria to qualify he placed fourth in shutouts with seven. Lemelin won 135 in net, while posting 58.6 winning percentage which earned him fifth position in our scoring. During his qualified seasons Rejean stopped 7,204 shots placing him seventh in the group.
Number six Mike Liut StL Blues, Hartford Whalers. In the nine season Mike qualified based on our stats Liut led in Wins (242) and saves (13,799) second Goal Allowed Average (3.24) and average wins a season (26.8) Shutouts he placed fourth with seven. Liut earned bonus points claiming first team All League honors while also earning the Pearson Award, In the 81-82. season he paced the league in saves with 1,780 stops,
Number five Tom Barrasso, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins. To start with Barrasso you need to know he earned nine Bonus Points All Stars first team, All Rookie, Calder Cup, Vezina, Jennings, league leader in the 85-86 season where he made 1,564 saves and a member of the Hall of Fame in his six seasons that meet our criteria. In our scoring metric Tom earned top points in shutouts (13), third in goals allowed for the decade with a 3.8 average and fifth in goals allowed per season with a 3.9 average as well as average wins per season (23)
Number four Andy Moog Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins. Andy squeaked in meeting our criteria for inclusion with five seasons played more than 40 games. Average per season points helped Moog’s standings he had the least per season average wise with 10 and the decade with 53, he was second with average wins (26) first in winning percentage season posting a 72% second in decade winning percentage at 71%, Andy allowed the least amount of goals of qualified net minders with 730, while placing third in goals allowed per season average with 144. Moog earned a Bonus Point for earning the Jennings for the 89-90 season.
Number three Billy Smith, New York Islanders. Bonus Points Smith earned were for being League Leader with wins (32), first team All-Star and Vezina winner for the 81-82 season, Jennings winner 82-83 and member of the Professional Hockey Hall of Fame. Placed fourth in shutouts for the decade with seven, third in lease losses in the decade with 91, as well as winning percent per decade at 64% and winning percentage average at 65%, second in losses average per season with 13 and goals allowed average per season with 143.
Number two Pete Peeters, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals. Peeters placed fourth in losses average with 14, and win percentage for the decade at 63%, took third in wins per decade (184) and average win percentage (65%), earned second place in goals allowed average at 3.5, as well as average wins with 26, Peeters 3.4 goals allowed per decade earned him the top spot. Peeters earned Bonus Points in wins (40) goals allowed average shutouts (8), goals allowed average (2.37), first team ALl-Star and Vezina award winner all for the 82-83 season.
Number one Grant Fuhr, Edmonton Oilers. Fuhr placed fifth in goals allowed in the decade with 3.8, fourth in shutouts during the decade with seven, losses average (14), second place for losses per decade (88), wins during the decade with 231, winning percentage average 70.2%, first in winning percentage during the decade at 72%, win per season 33. Bonus Points Fuhr earned were for 83-84, 87-88 season in wins with 30 and 40. During the 87-88 season he also topped NHL goalies with 1,820 saves and league best four shutouts. Six time participant in the All-Star game, seasons 81-82, 87-88 first team All-Pro, 87-88 Vezina winner and member of the Professional Hockey League Hall of Fame.
