NHL goaltenders are going through an era of offensive dominance, and Vancouver’s netminders Kevin Lankinen holds up. Pushed into starter role due to Thatcher Demkothe injury and Arthur SilovsStruggling, Lankinen posted a .907 save percentage this season.

While that number doesn’t seem earth-shattering, it puts him in the top half of the league’s “starters” in a season where the average save percentage has dropped to .900, the lowest since 1995-96.

So why is it so hard to stop pucks these days? The drop in savings percentages is not due to recent equipment changes, which were adjusted in 2018-2019. Instead, it reflects a game that has evolved significantly in favor of offensive creativity and deception.

One of the key changes? A sharp increase in puck movement from east to west, forcing goalies to make demanding lateral saves. Since the NHL’s harsh crackdown in 2017-18, talented players have had more room to maneuver, leading to a 40% increase in east-west play over five seasons, according to former goaltender’s data of the NHL, Steve Valiquette. This puck movement not only wears out goaltenders, it makes their jobs harder by increasing unpredictability and creating scoring opportunities designed to exploit even the most minor defensive gaps.

Kevin Lankinen faces the same challenges in Vancouver. The Canucks’ defensive corps, struggling with injuries and inconsistency, allowed numerous high-risk scoring opportunities. Across the league, teams are making fewer low-percentage perimeter shots and instead focusing on creating prime opportunities through traffic and deceptive passes.

Power games have also become more deadly. With power play efficiency consistently above 20% over the past eight seasons, teams are exploiting cross-check suppression and using fluid puck movement to overwhelm goaltenders.

Despite these obstacles, Lankinen’s consistent performance underlines its capacity for adaptation. His solid numbers reflect not only his technical skills, but also his mental toughness, essential in an era where every shot is harder to follow and every save requires near-perfect positioning.

For now, enjoy the high-scoring chaos in today’s NHL. But rest assured, goaltenders like Lankinen are learning, adapting and preparing to bring the save percentage back in their favor.

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