2014 NHL Awards Preview – Vezina Trophy
HHOF.com
We turn our attention to the last line of defense, the guys who are often the hero or the goat, because their mistakes show up on SportCentre.
The Vezina Trophy is awarded to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position
The guys who wear the masks are in the spotlight, and this year 3 very deserving netminders are nominated for the Vezina Trophy. It also represents a changing of the guard when it comes to NHL goaltenders since all 3 candidates are finalists for the first time.
AND THE NOMINEES ARE:
Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lighting
Mar 27, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) makes a save against the New York Islanders during overtime at Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Lightning won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Bishop excelled in his first full year with the Lightning. Winning the starting job over Anders Lindback, Bishop set Lightning records for wins (37, tied for 4th in the NHL) and save percentage (.924). Bishop was hurt late in the season and the injury forced him to miss the Lightning series against the Canadiens. I don’t know if Bishop would have given the Bolts the edge, but he would have made it a more competitive series.
Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
May 6, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask (40) during the warmup period in game three of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Rask led the NHL with 7 shutouts while leading the Bruins to the President’s Trophy. He was also fifth in wins (36), fourth in GAA (2.04), second in SP (.930).
Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche
Apr 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) deflects away a shot against the Minnesota Wild in the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
A tumultuous year off the ice didn’t translate to his on-ice performance, as the Russian goalie was taken under the wing of new head coach and Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy. Varlamov excelled with a young squad in front of him and actually broke Roy’s franchise record for wins with 41. He led the league in wins, and was the only player to break 40. He saw more rubber than any goalie in the league, making more than 100 saves more than the next highest target.
AND THE WINNER IS….
Apr 26, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) before the first period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Varlamov. With the young and unheralded team in front of him, Varlamov was not insulated like Rask. His win total was incredible, and combine that with the pressure and eventual disappointment of the Russian Olympic failure as well as his early season domestic situation what he did on the ice was really quite remarkable.