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Dallas Stars: Comparing Ben Bishop To 2019 Vezina Trophy Finalists

By Josh Clark

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 13: Ben Bishop #30 of the Dallas Stars tends net against the Nashville Predators in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 13: Ben Bishop #30 of the Dallas Stars tends net against the Nashville Predators in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 27: Dallas Stars goaltender Ben Bishop (30) gets set during the first period of Game 2 of an NHL Western Conference second-round playoff series between the St. Louis Blues and the Dallas Stars on April 27, 2019, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Tim Spyers/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 27: Dallas Stars goaltender Ben Bishop (30) gets set during the first period of Game 2 of an NHL Western Conference second-round playoff series between the St. Louis Blues and the Dallas Stars on April 27, 2019, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Tim Spyers/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Ben Bishop

Record: 27-15-2

Save percentage: .934

Goals against average: 1.98

Shutouts: 7

First off, let’s start with the Dallas Stars’ hero.

It’s no secret that Ben Bishop served as the backbone for the Stars during their 2018-19 campaign. In fact, if he hadn’t been in the crease for 46 of their games, you can be assured that Dallas wouldn’t have made the playoffs and would be riding a three-year postseason drought right now. As a result, the 2019 offseason would probably look significantly different.

But, thanks to the efforts of Bishop, the Dallas Stars became a playoff team.

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    • While there were many parts of the team’s overall game that fluctuated throughout the year, Bishop remained effective and steady in his production and performance. When the Stars struggled to stand up and stay consistent through the first part of the regular season, Bishop was the force that kept them in games and, as a result, in a decent spot in the standings. And when Dallas took off in the second part of the year, Bishop’s heroics only contributed further to their success as they surged towards the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

    As a result, Bishop posted some of the best numbers in the league and the best numbers of his career. He won 27 games and posted a save percentage of .934 (best in the NHL) and goals against of 1.98 (best in the NHL). He also had seven shutouts, which pinned him third in the NHL. All three of those marks were career-highs for the 32-year-old goalie.

    And though postseason play doesn’t factor into the award, it’s hard to not mention Bishop’s efforts in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was the Stars’ MVP through the first round against the Nashville Predators as they cruised to a six-game series win. And though he hit a few bumps in the second round against St. Louis, he was the sole reason that Dallas made it to double overtime as he stopped 52-54 in 85:50 of action. He finished with a record of 7-6-0 along with a .933 save percentage and 2.22 goals against average.

    Bishop’s performance was elite during the 2018-19 season. Without him in the pipes, there’s no telling what kind of train wreck the Stars might have been in for. He helped them gut out 1-0 wins, provided consistency on a nightly basis, and always fought to keep a struggling offense in front of him in each game. He shut the door at times while also partnering with Anton Khudobin to provide a shutdown effort in the crease.

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    When you look at Bishop’s stats, it seems as though he should have the Vezina locked up. After all, he finished with the highest save percentage and lowest goals against average, the top two statistical categories for goaltenders, in the NHL. His play provided an ultimately lasting spark for the Dallas Stars and there were very few opponents that knew how to beat him more than once.

    The question mark in Bishop’s case has to do with games won, which roots from games played.

    Bishop won a total of 27 games in 45 starts and 46 games played during the 2018-19 regular season. In the past three years, the goalie that has won the Vezina did so by winning 42, 41, and 48 games along with having stellar stats.

    Injuries played a key role in limiting Bishop’s playing ability as he was sidelined on three separate occasions with some sort of issue. So, you could make the argument that he couldn’t control his limited number of games. But, is that how the GMs look at it?

    Of the three finalists, Bishop has both the best statistical numbers and the fewest number of wins. And so, it seems as though Bishop’s chances of winning depend solely on how much weight wins and games played carry in the minds of the voters. If only he had been injured one less time or playoff performance had been counted in the judging, right?

    Still, it’s hard not to point to Bishop as a deserving finalist and even winner. He was just that good for his team and was the primary catalyst in their success.

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