Connor Hellebuyck is in contention to win his third Vezina Trophy.
The Winnipeg Jets star was among three goaltenders named Monday as finalists for the trophy, awarded “to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position” as voted by the NHL’s 32 general managers. Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings were also named finalists.
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Hellbuyck is the reigning winner of this award and also won in 2019-20. But this season might have been the best one yet. Hellebuyck set a career-high with 47 wins, only the fifth goalie to hit that mark. In 63 games this year, he led the league with a 2.00 goals-against average and eight shutouts. His .925 save percentage was good for second overall.
Vasilevskiy won the Vezina in 2019 and is a finalist for the fifth time in his career. This year, he made 63 starts for the Lightning and bounced back to post a .921 save percentage and six shutouts after his save percentage dipped to just .900 last season.
Kuemper revived his career after an off-season trade to the Kings and is a finalist for the first time in his career. He won 31 of his 50 starts and posted a 2.02 goals-against average and .921 save percentage with five shutouts.
