The Nashville Predators have always built their team from the net out. Solid goaltending has been a cornerstone of the Predators success throughout the years, and netminder Pekka Rinne has been one of the best in the history of the franchise.
Today, Rinne received his second consecutive Vezina nomination, acknowledging the quality of his play.
Joining Rinne as Vezina nominees are Jonathan Quick of the L.A. Kings and Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.
Rinne lead the NHL in games played with 73 as well as wins, with 43. Rinne was 43-18-8 in the regular season, with 5 shutouts. He finished the year with a .923 save % and a 2.39 GAA. He also lead the NHL in assists by a goaltender, with 5.
Quick accounted for 35 of the Kings 40 wins this season. His record was 35-21-13 with a .929 save % and 1.95 GAA. He lead the NHL with 10 shutouts.
Lundqvist was 39-18-5 with a .930 save% and a 1.97 GAA. He had 8 shutouts during the regular season.
Each goalie was integral to the success of their team and strong case can be made for each to claim the Vezina.
Rinne faced the most shots of any of the nominees (2,153), and often the Predators relied on Rinne to preserve the lead in a low scoring contest.
Quick backstopped the offensively challenged Kings, who were 29th in scoring at 2.29 goals per game. Quick's 1.95 GAA was the second best in the NHL.
Lundqvist's 39 wins were a career best, as was his save % and GAA. He is the first goalie to have at least 30 wins in his first 7 seasons in the League.
The winner will be announced at the NHL awards show in Las Vegas on June 20th.
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