Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings, and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning have been named the three finalists for the NHL\'s Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league\'s best goaltender.
Hellebuyck enters as the overwhelming favorite after leading the NHL in wins (47), shutouts (eight), goals saved above expected (49.48), and save percentage (.925) among goalies who played at least 35 games. The Jets netminder is seeking his third Vezina Trophy, which would place him alongside Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, and Dominik Hasek as the only goalies to win three Vezinas since voting began in 1982.
Already this season, Hellebuyck claimed his second consecutive William M. Jennings Trophy as the goaltender for the team allowing the fewest goals (190). As Winnipeg\'s backup Eric Comrie didn\'t reach the 25-game threshold, Hellebuyck became the first goalie in NHL history to be the sole winner of the Jennings in consecutive seasons.
Kuemper revitalized his career in Los Angeles, posting a 31-11-7 record with a .922 save percentage and 29.45 goals saved above expected. The 34-year-old recorded five shutouts and led the league with an .863 save percentage on high-danger chances, proving the Kings\' decision to acquire him from Washington last June was well-founded.
Vasilevskiy bounced back from an injury-plagued 2023-24 season to record a 38-20-5 mark with a .921 save percentage and 28.84 goals saved above expected. The 2018-19 Vezina winner overcame a slow start to post the NHL\'s highest save percentage after December 1.