Ever since being chosen in the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has been on a path to NHL stardom. Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman picked him with the expectation he would turn into the Bolts’ franchise goaltender. Six years after that summer day, Vasilevskiy can now add Vezina Trophy finalist to his resume for the first time.
In his first full season as Tampa Bay’s starting netminder, Vasilevskiy set multiple franchise records en route to that Vezina nomination. The 23-year-old Russian goaltender finished in a tie for the league lead in both wins (44) and shutouts (8). While the Lightning possess a stacked roster full of talent, it’s hard to imagine them having the best season in team history without Vasilevskiy’s work. He posted a 2.62 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 65 appearances. He also broke Nikolai Khabibulin’s team record with a nine-game winning streak.
In addition, his eight shutouts broke Khabibulin’s single-season team record. Vasilevskiy’s 44 wins also bested Ben Bishop’s old record of 40 set in 2014-15. On top of that, Vasilevskiy became the 12th goalie in NHL history to finish a season with at least a share of the league-lead in wins prior to his 24th birthday. The last goalie to achieve that feat was Carey Price in Montreal in 2010-11. Vasilevskiy looks to be the first goalie in Lightning history to win the Vezina. Bishop earned Vezina finalist nominations in 2013-14 and 2015-16, while Daren Puppa was a finalist in 1995-96.
Joining Vasilevskiy at the NHL Awards show in Las Vegas in June will be another first-time finalist.
The guy who tied Vasilevskiy for the league lead in wins, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, was instrumental in leading his team to the best season in franchise history. The 24-year-old Michigan native broke Tom Barrasso’s 25-year-old NHL record for most wins by an American-born goalie. His 44 victories also broke the franchise record of 34 set by Kari Lehtonen in 2006-07. Hellebuyck ranked in the top 10 in the league in games played (t-1st, 67), shutouts (3rd, 6), GAA (8th, 2.36), and save percentage (10th, .924). Hellebuyck became the first Vezina finalist in franchise history, closing the season with a club record nine straight wins.
The third Vezina finalist is a familiar face with three past nominations, but no hardware.
Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne will head to Vegas as a Vezina finalist for the fourth time. Judging by the season he had, this could be the year he brings the trophy home. Rinne’s 42 wins ranked second in the league behind Vasilevsky and Hellebuyck. His efforts helped backstop the Predators to the first Presidents’ Trophy in team history, setting team records in wins and points. He also tied Vasilevskiy for the league lead with eight shutouts, a Predators record.
Rinne also found himself in the top 10 in the league in GAA (5th, 2.31) and save percentage (7th, .927). His 11-game winning streak stood as the longest in the NHL this season. He also became the seventh goalie in NHL history to post three 40-win seasons while also becoming the 34th goalie in league history to earn 300 career wins. The 35-year-old Finland native finished second in Vezina voting in 2010-11 and 2014-15 and third in 2011-12.
