from Kevin Woodley at NHL.com,

The belief that goaltending has never been better has been a near-constant refrain for the past dozen seasons. Save percentages in the NHL rose steadily throughout the decade from 2005-06 through 2015-16, starting at .901 and finishing at .915, thanks, in large part, to a revolution in the way the position was taught.

But that belief is undergoing a challenge now.

Save percentage dropped to .913 last season and is down to .911 through the first quarter of this season. If that trend continues, it would mark the first consecutive-season decline in save percentage since 1998-99 through 2000-01.

Does this save percentage regression mean the goaltenders are now getting worse?

Not necessarily, according to current goaltenders and experts on the subject.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard thinks the trend is more about shooters getting better, and a crackdown on slashing that allows them to get uncontested shots frequently. Shot volume is up dramatically this season; the 31.7 shots per team per game is the highest in more than 30 years. It was 30.2 last season.

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