Hellebuyck, Rask, Vasilevskiy named Vezina finalists

Connor Hellebuyck, Tuukka Rask, and Andrei Vasilevskiy were voted as the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy, the NHL announced Friday.

The award is decided by general managers and handed out annually to the league's top goaltender.

Hellebuyck finished his season for the Winnipeg Jets with an impressive 31-21-5 record alongside a 2.57 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. He tied the Montreal Canadiens' Carey Price for most starts (58) and led all netminders in shots against (1,796), saves (1,656), and shutouts (six). He also ranked second in wins with 31. This is the second Vezina nomination for the 27-year-old.

Rask put together an incredible 26-8-6 mark with a 2.12 goals-against average and .929 save percentage. He helped guide the Boston Bruins to the NHL's best record and combined with backup Jaroslav Halak to allow the fewest goals in the league. His goals-against average ranked first among qualified goaltenders, and his save percentage placed second. The 33-year-old has only been nominated for the Vezina once and won it in 2013-14.

Vasilevskiy was one of the NHL's hottest goaltenders when the season was paused. From Dec. 7 to March 12, the Tampa Bay Lightning star compiled a 25-6-2 record. He finished the season with a league-best 35 wins to go along with a 2.56 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. The 25-year-old also ranked third in starts (52), shots faced (1,605), and saves (1,472). He's the reigning Vezina Trophy winner and has been nominated for the third consecutive year.

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