The NHL announced the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy on Saturday, awarded “to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position.”
This year’s finalists are Dallas’ Ben Bishop, NY Islanders’ Robin Lehner and Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy.
A third-time finalist for the Vezina Trophy, Dallas Stars goalie Ben Bishop set new career-highs and finished top three in the NHL in save percentage (.934), goals-against average (1.98) and shutouts (seven). Bishop was a key player in getting Dallas back to its first playoff appearance since 2015-16, especially late in the season, when he went 8-1-0 with a 0.78 GAA and .972 save percentage in his last 10 games — a stretch that included career- and team-best shutout streak that ran 233:04 from March 2-19. The 33-year-old is seeking to become the first goalie in North Stars/Stars history to win the Vezina.
In his first year with the Islanders, Lehner was top five in the league in save percentage (.930), goals-against average (2.13) and shutouts (six). His save percentage, in fact, set a new team record, while his 25 wins in 46 games set a new personal best. Lehner, along with Thomas Greiss, helped the Islanders become the second team in league history — and first since 1918-19 — to go from the worst goals against mark to the best in a season, culminating in the William Jennings Trophy and the Islanders’ first playoff appearance since 2015-16. Already named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy on Friday, Lehner is trying to become just the second Islanders netminder to win the Vezina, following Billy Smith in 1981-82.
A Vezina finalist for the second season in a row, after finishing third last season, Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy posted a league leading 39 wins in 53 games and lost consecutive starts just once all season. Overall, Vasilevskiy was top 10 in the league in shutouts (six), save percentage (.925), and goals-against average (2.40). The 24-year-old Russian is trying to become the first Lightning netminder to win the Vezina.
The Vezina Trophy is voted on by the NHL’s general managers. All award winners will be announced on June 19 at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas.
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