Debate: Who Will Win the Vezina?
The Vezina Trophy is an annual award given to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position as voted by the general managers of all NHL clubs.
| Vezina Trophy Candidates: | |||||||||||
| TEAM | POS | PLAYER | GP | W | L | OL/SO | GAA | SV% | SO | GA | MIN |
 |
G | Pekka Rinne | 73 | 43 | 18 | 8 | 2.39 | .923 | 5 | 166 | 4,169 |
 |
G | Henrik Lundqvist | 62 | 39 | 18 | 5 | 1.97 | .930 | 8 | 123 | 3,754 |
 |
G | Jonathan Quick | 69 | 35 | 21 | 13 | 1.95 | .929 | 8 | 133 | 4,099 |
Pekka Rinne – Nashville Predators
Pekka Rinne is a modern day workhorse when it comes to playing net as an NHL goaltender.
Pekka played in all but eight games for the Nashville Predators in 2011-12. He posted a 43-18-8 record with 5 shutouts, a 2.39 GAA and .923 Save Pct.
As mentioned Above, Rinne faced the most shots in the NHL this season with a total of 2,153. This was a full 400 more then Lundqvist. Pekka Rinne was a big reason the Predators made the playoffs the last two seasons.
He has been nominated two consecutive years for this award.
Even though his wins are higher, along with the shots faced, I think what suffers here in this vote is the higher GAA and lower save percentage while facing the most shots.
Henrik Lundqvist – New York Rangers
King Henrik had arguably the best campaign for a goalie in the 2011-12 season. On a team that focuses on defense and blocked shots under coach John Tortorella, Lundqvist put together a season that reflects this.
He did not face a large amount of shots, when placed in comparison to his fellow nominee Pekka Rinne from Nashville.
Lundqvist faced a total of 1,753 shots, which was 13th among goalies. There were also eight shutouts posted by Lundqvist, which set a career high.
All this stellar play help the Rangers climb to the top spot in the East at 109 points.
Henrik Lundqvist has been nominated three other times for this award in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Jonathan Quick – Los Angeles Kings
No goalie came close to Quick’s season in 2011-12, as far as I am concerned.
He played to a 35-21-13 record with a 1.95 GAA and .929 save percentage, along with 10 shutouts.
Out of his 34 losses this season in regulation, overtime, and shootout, 24 were one goal losses. He also suffered five 1-0 losses this season.
Los Angeles scored the second fewest goals in the NHL this year, further proving Quick’s value and influence on my choice for this award.
Without Jonathan Quick this season, the Los Angeles Kings would be watching the Lakers and Clippers from the Staples center seats, instead of making the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
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