After an outstanding month of November with eight victories and just one loss, Vitek Vanecek has been named the National Hockey League's Second Star of the Month.
Vanecek has been on a roll for the Devils. In the month of November, he's conceded three goals to his opponents three times, while keeping everyone else to two goals and under. He gave up just 20 goals on 284 shots he faced and finished the month with a .930 save percentage. Of goaltenders in the month of November who played six or more games, Vanecek's GAA ranks first in the league.
This season Vanecek is on pace for a career year, with an 11-2-0 record, playing in 15 games and starting 13. He's carried the majority of the load in net this season in the absence of Mackenzie Blackwood and has run with his opportunity.
Vanecek joins Jason Robertson, the First Star, and Mitch Marner, the Third Star as winners of the November Three Stars.
SECOND STAR - VITEK VANECEK, G, NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Vanecek shared the League lead with eight victories in 10 outings (9 starts), going 8-1-0 with a 2.13 goals-against average and .930 save percentage to help the Devils (19-4-0, 38 points) post an NHL-best 13-1-0 November en route to moving into first place in the Metropolitan Division. Vanecek, who yielded two or fewer goals in seven of his 10 appearances and made at least 25 saves seven times, improved to 11-2-0 (2.12 GAA, .923 SV%, 1 SO) in 15 total games since being acquired by New Jersey in July. Only one other goaltender in Devils/Scouts/Rockies history has earned at least 11 wins through their first 15 contests with the franchise: Sean Burke (also 11-2-0 in 15 GP). The 26-year-old Vanecek, who helped New Jersey match franchise records for both overall and road winning streaks, places among the top netminders this season in goals-against average (3rd; 2.12), wins (t-4th; 11) and save percentage (8th; .923).
Vitek Vanecek Named NHL's Second Star of the Month | NEWS
Vanecek joins Dallas' Robertson and Toronto's Marner as stars for the month of November