I wrote a column about goalies in the West in early November here and thought I would re-visit how each team's goalies did in December and how the splits are trending compared to then. There have been some big swings on some teams due to injuries and/or performance.

Hopefully, games will be back on the ice December 28 with taxi squads back in the mix, which should help teams fill better lineups moving forward.

Anaheim Ducks:

When we looked at Anaheim in November, John Gibson was starting 70% of the time, but in December he and Anthony Stolarz split the net 50/50. In the five games that Stolarz played in December, he posted four wins, a 1.83 GAA, a 93.4 save percentage and goals saved above average (GSAA) of 2.86. In December, Gibson had five starts with one win, a 2.84 GAA, a 90.1 save percentage and a GSAA of -1.36.

Overall, Gibson has 11 wins in 23 games with a 2.71 GAA, a save percentage of 91.3 and a GSAA of 1.08, while Stolarz has six wins in 10 games, posting a 2.13 GAA, a save percentage of 93.2 and a GSAA of 6.08. If Stolarz continues to play well and Gibson plays average as he has, we could see Stolarz push for 40-50 percent of the 50 games remaining which could give him 20-25 more starts and 30-35 games on the year.

December split: 50/50 (overall split 70/30), trending Stolarz

Arizona Coyotes:

Karel Vejmelka was playing 70 percent of the games until Arizona picked up Scott Wedgewood on waivers on November 4th. Since then, Wedgewood has played the majority of games. The issue in net for Arizona is that the number of wins is going to be more than likely capped at 20 for the team on the season and it won't matter who is in goal.

In December Wedgewood played four games with one win, a 3.79 GAA, a save percentage of 87.2 and a GSAA of -4.59. Vejmelka got into two games during the month with no wins, a 6.15 GAA, a save percentage of 81.8 and a GSAA of -6.13 (in only two games). While goaltending hasn't done the Coyotes many favours, it is not the cause of their lack of success.

Overall, Vejmelka and Wedgwood have both played in 16 games, with Wedgewood having four wins to Vejmelka's two, with both having very similar GAA and save percentages. If Wedgewood was playing much better than Vejmelka, I'd say that he might continue the majority of starts, but I think more than likely this trends back to a 50/50 split.

December split: 66/33 for Wedgewood (50/50 overall)

Calgary Flames:

The coaching staff in Calgary is slowly reducing Jacob Markstroms's starts so that he doesn't fade like he has been prone to do in previous years. In December the team only played six games so far, with Markstrom playing four and posting one victory with a 2.75 GAA, 91.1 save percentage and a GSAA of -0.05, while Daniel Vladar had two starts with one win, a 3.39 GAA, a save percentage of 88.3 and a GSAA of -1.66. The Covid break should help Markstrom in the second half.

Overall, Markstrom has been one of the top goalies in the NHL with 10 wins in 21 games, a 1.94 GAA, a 93.3 save percentage and a GSAA of 13.11 (4th in the NHL). Vladar has been very good with five wins in seven games, a 2.10 GAA, a 92.8 save percentage and a 3.42 GSAA. Darryl Sutter's system is good for goalies once his teams buy into it. Vladar's play should give Sutter more comfort in giving Markstrom rests now and again. Expect the December split, to carry forward.

December split: 67/33 Markstrom (75/25 Markstrom overall)

Chicago Blackhawks:

When I wrote about Chicago and their goaltending in early November, Marc-Andre Fleury was not playing well. He has turned his game around and should be a very valuable trade chip (if he allows) to a playoff team.

In December, Fleury had four wins in six games, a 2.74 GAA, a 91.0 save percentage and a GSAA of -0.27 while Kevin Lankinen went winless in three games, a 4.04 GAA, a save percentage of 87.5 and a GSAA of -3.46.

Overall, Fleury has elevated his stats to reflect nine wins in 21 games with a 2.86 GAA, a save percentage of 91.3 and a GSAA of 1.07. Lankinen on the other hand has struggled overall with two wins in 11 games, a GAA of 3.43, an 88.4 save percentage and a GSAA of -8.61. Malcolm Subban is now in Buffalo, while Collin Delia is still in the AHL.

Fleury has proven that he is the better goalie and should continue to at least see a 60/40 split going forward.

December split: 66/33 Fleury (65/35 overall for Fleury)

Colorado Avalanche:

In December, Darcy Kuemper was exactly what the Avalanche need him to be. Slightly better than average. In four games, he had four wins with a 2.52 GAA, a 92.2 save percentage and a GSAA of 1.39. The team put Jonas Johansson on waivers to make room for the return of Pavel Francouz who lost in his first and only start of the season so far but should improve the goaltending overall once he's found his game again. Rookie Justus Annunen had two games with one win, a 4.34 GAA, an 86.3 save percentage and a -2.46 GSAA. Having Francouz back should give Jared Bednar the option to start Kuemper less than he has and lower the risk of injury to him.

Overall Kuemper has 13 wins in 19 games but has had a 2.77 GAA, a save percentage of 90.7 and a GSAA just slightly below average at -2.03. If Francouz is 100% healthy, this could be a 50/50 split down the stretch.

December split: 57/43 Kuemper (Overall 61/39 Kuemper)

Dallas Stars:

The big news since I last wrote about goalies in Dallas is that Ben Bishop has retired and Anton Khudobin was waived, essentially getting the goaltending situation in Dallas down to Braden Holtby and Jake Oettinger.

In December, Oettinger had more starts (five) than Holtby (four) but didn't play as well as he had to that point. Oettinger had three wins, a 3.03 GAA, an 89.0 save percentage and a GSAA of -2.90 while Holtby was only slightly better with one win, a 2.79 GAA, a 91.0 save percentage and a GSAA of -0.14. I don't think this split will continue, but will more than likely be 50/50 unless one of them catches fire.

Overall, Holtby has slowed as expected with five wins in 15 games, a 2.44 GAA, 92.2 save percentage and a GSAA of 4.89. Oettinger has seven wins in 10 games, with a 2.24 GAA, a 92.2 save percentage and a GSAA of 2.87. Anton Khudobin had three wins in seven games while struggling with a GSAA of -6.89.

December split: 55/44 Oettinger (Overall 60/40 Holtby)

Edmonton Oilers:

When last we checked in with Edmonton, Mikko Koskinen was playing well and Mike Smith had just gone down with an injury that wasn't expected to keep him out of the lineup that long. Fast forward to now and Koskinen has struggled, Smith is still out and Stuart Skinner has emerged as an option in the crease.

It has become fairly transparent that Koskinen can't keep up good form for a season. In December his play has slipped with one win in five games, a 3.84 GAA, an 87.8 save percentage and a GSAA of -5.12, while Skinner has been slightly better with two wins in four games, a 3.05 GAA, an 89.9 save percentage and a GSAA of -1.41. The Oilers have been on a bit of a slide but should get wins 60 percent of the time with average goaltending, which would give the Oilers 20 wins rather than the 18 they have.

Overall, Koskinen has 12 wins in 18 games, a 3.16 GAA, a 90.2 save percentage and a GSAA of -4.78, while Skinner has four wins in 10 games, a 2.70 GAA, a 91.6 save percentage and a GSAA of 1.61.

December split: 55/44 Koskinen (Overall 64/36 Koskinen)

Los Angeles Kings:

I was not in the camp that saw Jonathan Quick becoming a top-ten goalie once again this season. In December, Quick had four wins in six games with a 1.82 GAA, a 94.1 save percentage and a GSAA of 5.47. Garret Sparks had a win in his one start and played well, which was his first victory in the NHL since 2019 while with Toronto. Cal Peterson struggled a little in his only two starts and was held winless while posting a 3.55 GAA, an 88.7 save percentage and a GSAA of -1.48.

Overall, Quick has had a great year with eight wins in 18 games, while putting up a GAA of 2.19, a save percentage of 93.0 and a GSAA of 10.55 (9th in the NHL). Peterson has five wins in 11 games with a 3.10 GAA, an 89.3 save percentage and a GSAA of -5.61. Contrary to what I said in November, Peterson is not overtaking Quick sooner than later. It is now later.

December split: 66/34 Quick (Overall 60/40 Quick)

Minnesota Wild:

In December,  Kaapo Kahkonen only had two games but played very well with one win, a 2.03 GAA, a 94.1 save percentage and a GSAA of 2.05. Cam Talbot had three wins in six games with a GAA of 3.17, a save percentage of 91.3 and a GSAA of 0.49. This might get Kahkonen into the crease more than 23-25 percent of the time if he keeps having good starts.

Overall, Talbot has been slightly above average with 15 wins in 23 games with a 2.83 GAA, a 91.4 save percentage and a GSAA of 2.02. Kahkonen has brought his numbers slightly up to four wins in seven games, a 2.75 GAA, a save percentage of 90.5 and a GSAA of -1.29. The Wild are outscoring their opponents rather than out defending their opponents this season.

December split: 75/25 Talbot (Overall 77/23 Talbot)

Nashville Predators:

Since November, David Rittich has returned from injury and replaced Connor Ingram as the backup in Nashville. Saros continues to see the vast majority of starts (as he should) and in December he had five wins in six games, with a 1.82 GAA, a 93.3 save percentage and a GSAA of 3.60. Rittich won both of his games in December with a 2.50 GAA, an 86.5 save percentage and a GSAA of -1.71, which should tell us he was fortunate rather than good.

Overall, Saros has been great with 15 wins in 24 games and a GAA of 2.22, a save percentage of 92.4 and a GSAA of 9.23. He is firmly in the top 15 of goalies in the league at this point. Rittich has played five games, with three wins and a GAA of 3.10, a save percentage of 88.8 and a GSAA of -3.59.

There is no reason to think that Saros won't get 55-60 games this year if healthy.

December split: 75/25 (Overall 77/23 Saros)

San Jose Sharks:

I was calling for a bit of a goalie controversy in early November, but Bob Boughner wasn't listening to me as Adin Hill played six games compared to two for James Reimer in December. Hill had two wins in those six games with a 2.85 GAA, a 90.4 save percentage and a -1.16 GSAA, while Reimer was excellent in his two games with one win, a 1.52 GAA, a 95.3 save percentage and a GSAA of 2.70.

Overall. Reimer has considerably outplayed Hill while both have played 16 games. Reimer has nine wins, a 2.03 GAA, a 93.6 save percentage and a GSAA of 11.92 (7th in the NHL), while Hill has six wins, a 2.90 GAA, a 90.0 save percentage and a GSAA of -4.64. I'm still not sure how Reimer hasn't got more starts to this point.

December split: 75/25 Hill (Overall 50/50)

Seattle Kraken:

With Chris Driedger back and healthy, he should see more starts as his play seems to be coming around while Philipp Grubauer continues to struggle.

In December, Driedger had one win in three games, with a 2.60 GAA, a 92.5 save percentage and a GSAA of 1.12, while Grubauer struggled in six games with only one victory, a 4.13 GAA, a save percentage of 85.9 and a GSAA of -7.36 (league-worst).

Overall, Grubauer has seven wins in 23 games, a 3.29 GAA, an 88.2 save percentage and a GSAA of -16.56 (Carter Hutton is next in the NHL at -9.84 and he only played three games). Driedger is improving his numbers and now has three wins in eight games, with a GAA of 3.23, a save percentage of 89.6 and a GSAA of -2.82.

I'm not sure how much more leash the Kraken can give Grubauer without giving Driedger more starts?

December split: 60/40 Grubauer (Overall 68/32 Grubauer)

St. Louis Blues:

December in St. Louis is a perfect example of the opportunities that can be presented to goalies in professional hockey. Jordan Binnington was injured and 28-year old Charlie Lindgren (28 career NHL games prior to this season) was called up to the Blues and given a chance to play. He played five games, pulled off five wins with a 1.22 GAA, a 95.8 save percentage and a 5.24 GSAA. Ville Husso played three games with no wins, a 3.41 GAA, a save percentage of 91.9 and an impressive 0.95 GSAA.

Overall, Binnington has eight wins in 17 games, with a 2.87 GAA, a save percentage of 91.0 and a GSAA of -0.32. His play had cooled off before he was injured. He will get his starting job back, but he might have to battle for the same split he had before. Husso has been good overall with three wins in seven games, a 2.46 GAA, a 92.7 save percentage and a 3.74 GSAA.

Now that the taxi squads are back, Husso or Lindgren will be in the mix for the rest of the season. One interesting stat I will point out is that in his five games, Lindgren average 23.6 shots against per 60 minutes while Binnington averaged 32.18 and Husso 33.29. I don't think this will continue for Lindgren so enjoy the ride. Binnington should see 55/45 of the games unless his game falls off completely.

December split: 55/44 Lindgren (Overall 58/42 Binnington)

Vancouver Canucks

Travis Green loved Thatcher Demko in goal for the Canucks and after six games as coach in Vancouver, so does Bruce Boudreau. Demko had six wins in December in seven games, with a 1.82 GAA, a 94.4 save percentage and a GSAA of 7.83 (Number one in the NHL in December). In his one game, Jaroslav Halak got his first victory as a Canuck after seven games.

Overall, Demko has 13 wins in 25 games, a 2.63 GAA, a 91.9 save percentage and a GSAA of 6.02. He is the biggest reason the Canucks are even sniffing at the playoffs and if he goes down with fatigue or injury, the hopes are dashed. Halak has been average in his seven games with a 2.88 GAA, a 90.5 save percentage and a -1.18 GSAA.

I don't think Demko can sustain 80-85 percent of the starts for the balance of the season.

December split: 88/12 Demko (Overall 78/22)

Vegas Golden Knights:

Vegas is starting to win games despite their goaltending, instead of because of it, which can be a good sign or a worrisome sign come playoffs.

In December, Robin Lehner won five of his seven games but didn't play well with a GAA of 3.23, a save percentage of 88.1 and a GSAA of -5.25. Laurent Brossoit got more starts than he was used to and had three wins in six games and was only slightly better than Lehner with a 2.64 GAA, an 89.7 save percentage and a GSAA of -1.68. Vegas will need better goaltending going forward.

Overall, Lehner has an impressive 14 wins in 24 games, with a 3.03 GAA, a 90.5 save percentage and a -4.32 GSAA. Brossoit has six wins in 11 games with a 2.72 GAA, a 90.4 save percentage and a -1.75 GSAA.

Like Lindgren in St. Louis, Brossoit only averages 22.73 shots on goal per sixty minutes compared to Lehner at 30.75. Those shot totals will more than likely rise and with it, his peripheral numbers. I think this will still be a 65/35 split for Lehner if he can stay healthy.

December split: 54/46 Lehner (Overall 69/31 Lehner)

Winnipeg Jets:

Hellebuyck struggled early in the season then got his game together but has been only average in December where he had four wins in seven games while putting up a 2.89 GAA, a 91.0 save percentage and a -0.15 GSAA. Eric Comrie had one start in December and lost in overtime while giving up three goals on 36 shots, which was good for a quality start.

Overall, Hellebuyck has been good, but not great with 11 wins in 24 games, with a 2.69 GAA, a 91.6 save percentage and a GSAA of 3.39. Comrie has three wins in seven games with a respectable 2.53 GAA, 91.4 save percentage and a GSAA of 0.53.

Like most goalie splits, it has been increasingly more risky to play goaltenders more than 60 games in a season. Hellebuyck is on pace for 63 games at this point but if anyone can do it, he can.

December  split: 88/12 Hellebuyck (Overall 77/23 Hellebuyck)

When last I wrote in November, Charlie Lindgren wasn't on anyone's radar, Garrett Sparks hadn't played in the NHL since 2019-20, Scott Wedgewood wasn't in Arizona and Stuart Skinner hadn't played a game in the NHL this season. Things happen fast and if we look at things in February, we shouldn't be surprised to see Justus Annunen starring in Colorado or Anton Khudobin back in Dallas posting back-to-back shutouts. Expect the unexpected.

Thanks for reading, and let me know if you want me to focus on any players or topics by messaging me below or following me on Twitter @gampbler15.