Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec defelcts a shot as Montreal Canadiens' Alex Galchenyuk looks for the rebound during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

No, we’re not saying that Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec is the best goalie among the netminders on Canada’s seven NHL teams. Of course not, not with Carey Price between the pipes in Montreal and Ryan Miller off and running in Vancouver … and Craig Anderson streaking in Ottawa and Jonas Hiller rebounding in Calgary.

However.

There is a statistical case to be made that Pavelec is playing the best among goalies toiling north of the 49th parallel. For starters, Pavelec entered Friday night’s action ranked sixth overall in the NHL in both goals-against average (1.99) and save percentage (.928). His win-loss record isn’t quite as starry at 7-5-2, but that’s mostly because the Jets sit 29th in the league in goals scored per game (1.82), ahead of only the woebegone Buffalo Sabres (1.22). On the defensive side, Pavelec is getting plenty of help from the players in front of him – the Jets are surrendering the seventh-fewest shots per game in the NHL, at 28.2. So it would seem Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice has his charges focusing on the ‘D’ while sacrificing on offense. It makes sense, given the team’s lack of game-breakers, and for now it’s working, with the Jets on a 7-2-1 run in their past 10 games. Winnipeg backup Michael Hutchinson is also benefitting from the team’s shutdown approach, with a 1.50 GAA and .949 SP in three starts (2-1-0).

Overall, the Jets boast the third-best GAA in the NHL at 1.95, behind only the Chicago Blackhawks (1.83) and St. Louis Blues (1.90). It would be downright shocking if Winnipeg is anywhere close to that number at the end of the season, and a huge victory if they’re in the NHL’s top 10 in GAA, never mind the top three. But for the time being, you can’t argue with the results – and you can’t deny Pavelec’s contribution.

Here is how Canada’s six other teams rank in net, in order of goals-against average (entering Friday night’s games):

Ottawa Senators: 2.37 GAA, 11th overall in the NHL

Craig Anderson has been stellar for the Sens, as attested by his league-leading .942 save percentage. It’s a good thing his SP is so sparkling, with Ottawa surrendering the third-most shots per game in the NHL (35.4). With a 2.05 GAA and 5-2-3 record, he’s clearly the No. 1 in Ottawa ahead of Robin Lehner (3-2-1, 2.96 GAA, .913 SP). Anderson can run hot and cold, he had a 3.00 GAA and .911 SP last season after a ridiculous showing in lockout-shortened 2012-13 (1.69 GAA, .941 SP). He’ll come back down to earth a bit, but his great start bodes well for the rest of the season, and Lehner’s numbers should improve, too.

View photos Habs defenseman Sergei Gonchar ties up Bruins center Chris Kelly in front of Carey Price. (AP) More

Montreal Canadiens: 2.47 GAA, 12th overall in the NHL

Not only is Price the best goalie in Canada, he’s one of the very best in the NHL – maybe at the top of the pile. The Habs were tied for the second-best points percentage in the NHL despite being tied for 25th in offense, scoring 2.41 goals per game. Montreal can’t score on the power play (hello, Sergei Gonchar), scuffling along at 8.5-percent proficiency (4-for-47) – and they literally can’t score on the power play on the road, at 0-for-25 and counting. The Habs have scored four goals in the first period – while giving up 15 – through 17 contests. Add it all up and it puts a lot of pressure on Price to keep his team in games. So far, he’s passed with flying colors, with a 10-3-1 record, 2.45 GAA and .920 SP. Dustin Tokarski’s stats have been even better in limited action (2-1-0, 2.01 GAA, .929 SP). The power play can’t stay this bad forever, and the Canadiens are a good bet to bump up their offensive output. Price isn’t in the Vezina conversation at the moment, but that could easily change by the end of the season.

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