The National Hockey League (NHL) announced on Thursday the finalists for the Vezina Trophy. This award is given to the best goaltender of the season. The three finalists are Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins, Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders, and Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.
Linus Ullmark is in his second season with the Bruins and played a vital role in the team’s outstanding regular season record of 65-12-5. He finished the season with 40 wins, six losses, and one tie, with a goals-against average of 1.89 and a save percentage of .938. Ullmark tied for the league lead in wins and led the NHL outright in both GAA and save percentage.
New York Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin
Ilya Sorokin, in his third season with the New York Islanders, helped the team finish with a record of 42-31-9 and secure a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Sorokin had 31 wins, 22 losses, and seven ties, with a GAA of 2.34 and a save percentage of .924. He finished sixth in GAA, ninth in wins, and third in save percentage. Sorokin also led the league in shutouts with six.
Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck
Connor Hellebuyck, who previously won the Vezina Trophy in 2020, is in his eighth season with the Winnipeg Jets. He had 37 wins, 25 losses, and two ties, with a GAA of 2.49 and a save percentage of .920. Hellebuyck was tied for third in wins, 11th in GAA, and fourth in save percentage. He was also second in time on ice and saves.
The Winner Will Be Announced at NHL Awards Show
The winner of the Vezina Trophy will be announced during the NHL Awards show on June 26 in Nashville. The award is named after Georges Vezina, a legendary goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the early 1900s. The Vezina Trophy has been awarded since 1927 and is voted on by the NHL’s general managers.
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