The finalists for the Vezina Trophy, for Best Goaltender in
the National Hockey League were announced on Saturday, and the top three
netminders competing for the hardware are Braden Holtby of the Washington
Capitals, Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens and Sergei Bobrovsky of the
Columbus Blue Jackets.
Holtby a finalist in back-to-back years, put up nine shutouts
to lead the league this past season. His 42 victories were tied for first
overall with Cam Talbot of the Edmonton Oilers.
In 63 starts, Holtby had the second-best goals against
average (2.07) and fourth best save percentage (.925) in the league, among goalies
making 25 or more appearances. He and fellow nominee, Bobrovsky were the only
netminders ranked in the top five in each category.
Bobrovsky, is also a two-time finalist, winning the hardware
in 2013. During the past season, he set a Blue Jackets record with 41 wins in
63 starts. He led the league with a 2.06 GAA and a .931 save percentage.
Bobrovsky’s seven shutouts trailed only Holtby (9) and Tukka
Rask, of the Boston Bruins (8). His 14-game winning streak, between November 29
and January 3, was tied for the second longest in NHL history. Gilles Gilbert
of the Bruins, had the longest winning streak, when he strung together 17
victories during the 1975-1976 season.
Price, who captured the Hart Trophy as Most Valuable Player
and the Vezina Trophy in 2015, finished the 2016-2017 season with a 37-20-3
record, 2.23 GAA and .923 save percentage through 62 starts.
He began the season on a 10-0-0 run with a .957 save
percentage. Price also won 13 of his 19 starts after Claude Julien replaced
Michel Therrien behind the Canadiens bench on February 14.
The winner will find out who gets to take home the hardware
when the league holds the 2017 NHL Awards at the new home of the Vegas Golden
Knights, the T-Mobile Arena on June 21 at 7:30 PM. The 2017 NHL Awards and
Expansion Draft can be seen live on NBCSN in the United States and Sportsnet in
Canada.
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