Los Angeles Kings goaltender Pheonix Copley has been discussed a lot, and rightfully so. He came into a difficult situation when the team as a whole was not playing well and things turned around almost instantly. With the season he has had, that makes one wonder, does he have enough to be a Vezina Trophy candidate?
Los Angeles Kings Copley having break out season
Copley has been busy of late, playing most of the games the Kings have played since his call-up. He does not seem to mind as he is playing the best hockey of his career. Copley is not on top of every goaltending statistical category, yet he has been one of the best goaltenders in the league since late December. He has shown extreme confidence in his playing ability and so has the team. The Los Angeles Kings have not looked better in their overall play since he arrived. Copley has played so well that he signed a new contract last Friday, earning a one-year, $1.5 million deal. This is a raise from his current contract, which pays him $825,000. With the backup situation to be sorted out sooner than later, Copley has security as a Kings goaltender for the next year.
This season, Copley has a 17-3-1 record, with a 2.74 GAA, a .908 save percentage, and one shutout. For his career, he has a record of 33-12-4, with two shutouts, a 2.88 GAA, and a .901 save percentage. Copley is also 4-0-1 in his last five games played. His 17 wins are a career-high and also place him tied for 15th in the league for wins.
Copley should be in the conversation for the Vezina Trophy. He has only three losses this season and has played a number of games that have seen him steal the show. His Los Angeles Kings are in a playoff spot and he is in the upper half of the league in wins. Without Copley between the pipes, Los Angeles is not in the place they are right now. His consistent play has the Kings surging at the right time in the season and, because of him, could make a lengthy playoff run.
Regardless of if he wins, or is even nominated, for the Vezina Trophy, Copley has played an extremely important role in the King’s success this season. He deserves all of the attention he has received and the Kings are playing well at the right time.
(photo: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley) (photo: lakingsinsider.com; Zach Dooley)
