Henrik Lundqvist may soon be lighter in the wallet because of his postgame comments Monday.
The New York Rangers goaltender roundly criticized officials for allowing an Ottawa Senators goal late in the third period to stand after a video review. He said the decision was made to help get the Senators back in the game.
Henrik Lundqvist fired a shot at the NHL after turned away 25 Senators shots in Game 6. (AP Photo)
The goal, credited to Jason Spezza following a goalmouth scramble, cut the Rangers’ lead to 3-2 with 39 seconds to play. Senators forward Chris Neil, who was in the crease, appeared to swing his foot at the puck as it neared the goal line. The league later said that replays were inconclusive as to whether Neil’s skate “propelled the puck into the net.”
"Oh, my God. It scares me," Lundqvist said, according to NHL.com. "It's such an obvious play—goalie interference and a kick. And they still call it a goal. It scares me that someone can call that. It's unbelievable. It still upsets me because we had this game, then they get a chance. Someone wants them back in the game, obviously, because there's no other explanation."
The top-seeded Rangers held on for the victory, which tied the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at three games apiece. Game 7 will be Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Sorry for the lateness of this post, but I just found this article.
Henrik Lundqvist: Could He Win the Hart and Vezina Trophies?
Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE
Hockey historians, experts and pundits all agree that the most important part of a hockey team is its goaltender. A team follows its goaltender onto the ice and they are often thought of as the team’s second leader after the team captain.
If you asked most fans who the heart of the New York Rangers is, many—myself included—would answer Henrik Lundqvist. Up to this point, the success of the New York Rangers has fallen squarely on the back of Lundqvist.
He has carried the burden of the team and the city of New York for five years now. He has been with the team at high points including playoff victories over the Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils and the now-defunct Atlanta Thrashers. Henrik was nominated for not one, but two trophies this year and could he walk away with multiple pieces of hardware?
When I think of the Hart Trophy, I think of its phonetic pronunciation of H-E-A-R-T. The Hart Trophy is known as the MVP award for the player who is most valuable to their team.
I am a firm believer that more goalies should win the Hart Trophy. It is unfortunate that those who vote for awards such as these don’t view goalies as important in the debate. Not many goalies have won the award recently. The last one to win the award was Jose Theodore, and the last before that was Dominek Hasek, who won the award back to back. I realize that scorers are important to their team, but isn’t a goal prevented as important as one scored?
Forwards and goal scorers are measured by their shots and goals. Goaltenders are justly measured by their shots faced, goals against average and save percentage. Couldn’t the two statistical spectra be viewed as one
The Hart Memorial Trophy is defined as “the oldest and most prestigious individual award in hockey.” It is awarded annually to the ”player adjudged most valuable to his team” in the National Hockey League. It is the top individual award for a player to receive. In short, it is the MVP award.
However, most people correlate an MVP trophy with being the best player. Evgeni Malkin is probably the best player in the league and will likely win the Ted Lindsay Award, which is handed out to the best player as determined by the players.
When looking at the parameters of a most valuable player award, Henrik Lundqvist should immediately come to mind. He is the best player at the most important position in hockey. Goaltenders are a team’s last line of defense and are often the foundation on which championships are built. Names like Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy and Dominik Hasek are synonymous with greatness in the modern era.
When looking at the Rangers’ success, it is interesting to wonder where the team would have been in the standings without Lundqvist. It is fair to say that the team has one of the best defensive corps in the league and that the Rangers have a well-regarded backup in Martin Biron, but it is impossible to ignore Lundqvist’s earth-shattering numbers.
It should be a given that after being nominated for the Hart Trophy it is all but determined that Lundqvist will win the Vezina. He posted career highs in wins (39), goals against (1.96) and save percentage (.930). Lundqvist appeared in 62 games this season. This is a far cry from the 70-plus games that he is used to. With Lundqvist appearing in less games this year, he is fresh and rested. A goaltender that plays at an elite level like Lundqvist is expected to feel some fatigue during an 82-game season.
The Rangers have motored along so far in the postseason and Lundqvist is a huge reason why. If Lundqvist can carry the team even further there is a chance he could win some more hardware including the highly coveted Stanley Cup.
Defining what makes a player valuable to his team isn't easy.
Is it wins and losses? Goals scored? How would the team do if this player suddenly disappeared from the roster?
That's the annual conundrum facing the members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association who vote on the Hart Trophy, awarded annually "to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team."
This year, the writers chose New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos as the finalists for the award. The winner will be announced at the 2012 NHL Awards Show, June 20 at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas.
Lundqvist had the best season of an already stellar career in 2011-12. He earned 39 of the Rangers' 51 wins, and set single-season personal-bests with a 1.97 goals-against average and .930 save percentage -- he was fourth in the League in both categories -- and had eight shutouts.
"He is the backbone of our team -- always has been," Rangers coach John Tortorella told Newsday. "He is one of the strongest competitors that I've seen as an athlete. Sometimes as a goalie, you don't see it. With him, you do."He was a major reason the team finished first in the Eastern Conference for the first time since the 1993-94 season.
It's the first time since the 2006-07 that a goaltender has finished in the top three in Hart Trophy voting. He has a chance to be the first goalie to win the Hart since Jose Theodore following the 2001-02 season.
"That was amazing," Lundqvist said of the nomination. "Fun news to get in the morning. It's been a fun year, where the team's been playing really well in front of me and helping me in so many different ways, blocking shots or being in the lane all the time to help my game. I also feel like I pushed myself this year to play better and improve as a goalie."
Makin spent the summer rehabbing a serious knee injury that ended his 2010-11 season in early February. He wasn't 100 percent when the 2011-12 season started, but he still was able to dominate the League offensively. He had his first 50-goal season and led the League with 109 points to win his second Art RossTrophy. The Pittsburgh star had three points streaks of at least eight games, including one to end the regular season. He had two goal-scoring streaks of at least five games, had four five-point games and went consecutive games without a point just three times.
"I had a great summer and stayed positive," Malkin told the team's website. "I don't think about points. I came back this year and just start playing 100-percent every game. The points continued and kept coming and it's just a great year."
He did the majority of it without having fellow superstar Sidney Crosby to share the scoring load and absorb the minutes against the opposition's best checkers and defensemen.
Malkin also made the players around him better -- especially James Neal, who had his first 40-goal season playing on Malkin's line; Malkin assisted on 28 of those goals.
How important was Malkin to the Pens? In the 14 games he didn't have a point this season, the Pens went 5-9-0. In other words, when he contributed, the Penguins more often than not won the game.
"I think Geno [Malkin] this year has been at a different level right from training camp right into the regular season," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said during the season. "I think he's been that way for most of this year. He's been dominant on the ice. He's been good at both ends of the rink and he's been maybe the best player, the most dominant player, in the League. He's buoyed our team when we've gone through a bunch of injuries."
It's the third time Malkin has been a finalist for the Hart -- he finished second in 2008 and 2009.
Stamkos was the only player to score more goals than Malkin. He became the 20th player in League history to score 60, and finished second to Malkin in the scoring race with a career-best 97 points. He won his second Rocket Richard Trophy
He had 13 multi-goal games and a pair of hat tricks as part of his outstanding season. Stamkos also finished strong with 10 goals in his last nine games. He went three games or more between goals just three times all season.
Stamkos wasn't all about flashy goal numbers, though. He played all 82 games for the third straight season, while averaging a career-best 22:01 of ice time. His 37 assists were third on the team, and his plus-7 and 42 takeaways were second. He also was willing to get physical, finishing fifth on the team with 109 hits and third among forwards with 37 blocked shots.
"What I like is that he just pushes always for more," Lightning coach Guy Boucher said. "He just wants more all the time. It's never enough, and it's not the goals. He never has enough of getting better -- that's why he scores the goals. It's a byproduct of his attitude, his work ethic, and his willingness to pay the price.
"It's not just about skill. Skill, in his case, is not the biggest [factor] in why he scores those goals. It's just desire."
On his Twitter account, Stamkos wrote: "An absolute honor to be nominated for the Hart Trophy. Thanks to all my family, friends, teammates, and fans for all the help and support."
On Monday he backstopped the Rangers season-saving 3-2 win in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in Ottawa. On Wednesday he was named as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top goaltender. On Thursday he starred again between the pipes as the Rangers grabbed a series-clinching 2-1 victory in Game 7 against the Senators. And on Friday Lundqvist became the first goalie since Roberto Luongo in 2007 to be named a finalist for the Hart Trophy, awarded annually to the league's most valuable player.
"It's amazing, just some great news to get here in the morning," Lundqvist said after practice Friday. "It's been a fun year, a year where the team has played really well in front of me, helping me in so many different ways. I also feel like I pushed myself this year to try and play better and improve as a goalie. I'm really happy and honored and proud to be in that selection."
Lundqvist is joined as a Hart finalist by the NHL's two leading scorers from this past season, Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin and Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos. Malkin led the league in points with 109, while Stamkos finished second with 97. However Stamkos led the NHL with 60 goals, ten better than Malkin.
The award is presented to the player deemed most valuable to his team, and certainly the Rangers believe Lundqvist fits that description to a tee.
"It's fantastic, and you don't see that often with a goaltender in that position," Rangers head coach John Tortorella said following practice. "For this guy here, and for what he has done for the hockey club, he belongs there (among the finalists)."
The last goalie to win the Hart Trophy was Montreal's Jose Theodore back in 2002. The last Ranger to be a finalist for the Hart Trophy was Jaromir Jagr in 2006.
"I felt like I was more determined this year," explained Lundqvist. "Going into this year I was more prepared. i played a little less, but had more energy to push myself in practice, and to work on details. I think that helped my game. Every year you learn something about the game and about yourself, you get a better understanding of how to approach it. I feel like I have found a good balance with everything."
After being secuired somewhere along the way during the Rangers pre-season trek to Europe, the Broadway Hat has now been passed out 55 times this season---51 in the regular season and four more so far in the playoffs---following Thursday's Game 7 victory over the Ottawa Senators. And no Rangers has earned the honor more often than goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who backstopped the Blueshirts thrilling 2-1 win Thursday as the Rangers completed their series comeback from a 3-2 deficit.
Lundqvist was brilliant again with the season on the line in Game 7, stopping 26 of 27 shots, including all nine he saw during a frenzied late-game push by a desperate Senators squad.
"When you get really happy you just let it out," Lundqvist explained of his reaction at the final buzzer of Game 7. "For an athlete that's the moment you are looking for, when you work really hard and you accomplish something, that's a great feeling. Especially in a team sport when you work together to achieve that (win a series), it's just a great feeling. Doing it together, especially the way we played the whole series as a team. So we will enjoy this tonight, and then we will start all over again."
Lundqvist allowed only 12 goals in the seven game series(there was one empty-net goal by Ottawa)---including a pair in two overtime losses. He also stopped 205 of 216 shots in the series.
I have many articles to go through, so here is what the Rangers Tribune Said:
Surprise, Henrik Lundqvist Named Vezina Finalist
To the surprise of no one (hence the sarcastic title), the National Hockey League has announced that New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has been named a finalist for the 2011-12 Vezina Trophy, which is awarded to the League's best goaltender during the regular season. This is the fourth time in Lundqvist's seven-year career that he has been named a finalist for the honor, but he has yet to actually win the trophy in any of the previous years. There's a strong indication that this will be the year for King Henrik, though.
Along with Lundqvist as the top three goalies in the NHL this year are Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators and Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings. Here's a little statistical comparison for you...
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR: 62 starts, 39-18-5, 1.97 GAA, .930 save percentage, 8 shutouts
Pekka Rinne, NSH: 72 starts, 43-18-8, 2.39 GAA, .923 save percentage, 5 shutouts
Jonathan Quick, LAK: 69 starts, 35-21-13, 1.95 GAA, .929 save percentage, 10 shutouts
Out of the three finalists, it's going to come down to Lundqvist and Quick for sure. Both were outstanding this season and are the main reason their clubs are in the playoffs at the moment. Lundqvist, being a goaltender in the Eastern Conference, gets more attention and publicity than Quick does, so that could certainly favor the Swedish netminder. So can the fact that Hank led his team to the regular season Conference and Division titles as well.
My gut tells me Lundqvist wins it. He's long overdue.
* Tomorrow's Game 7 between the Rangers and Senators at Madison Square Garden has been scheduled for 7 p.m.
Here is what NHL.com says (With video):
Lundqvist, Rinne, Quick tabbed Vezina finalists
By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
Teams don't have success without high-quality goaltending, so it's no surprise the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators have done so well this season.
The Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist, the Kings' Jonathan Quick and the Predators' Pekka Rinne have been named finalists for this year's Vezina Trophy, awarded "to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position" as voted by the general managers of each of the 30 clubs.
The winner will be announced at the 2012 NHL Awards Show, June 20 at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas.
With Lundqvist at his best, the Rangers finished atop the Eastern Conference for the first time since the 1993-94 season.Lundqvist, already considered one of the elite goalies in the League, had perhaps his best season. He won a career-best 39 games while playing just 62, the fewest since his rookie season. He also had career-bests this season with a 1.97 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. He was in the top four in the League in wins, GAA, save percentage and shutouts (eight).
"It's a great feeling," Lundqvist said. "I'm really proud and honored to be with those names. It's been a year with a lot of good goalies, so to be up there, it's a great feeling. I take a lot of pride in that, but my teammates should feel good about it because it is about teamwork. Without them there would be no way I'd be up there."
"He is the backbone of our team, always has been," Rangers coach John Tortorella told Newsday. "He is one of the strongest competitors that I've seen as an athlete. Sometimes as a goalie, you don't see it. With him, you do."
No player in the League was as valuable to his team as Quick was to the Kings. Starting a personal-best 69 games, he had 35 of the team's 40 wins this season. He led the League with 10 shutouts, was second with a 1.95 GAA and fifth with a .929 save percentage.
His accomplishments came with almost no margin for error, as the Kings were 29th in the League in scoring at 2.29 goals per game. And while he had 34 losses in regulation, overtime or shootouts, the Kings scored two goals or fewer in 15 of them, and one goal or less in nine.
Thanks to Quick's play, the Kings were able to snag the final playoff spot in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
"He's not just our best player, he's our most consistent," Kings captain Dustin Brown told the National Post. "The quiet confidence filters down to the rest of the players. It's huge."
Rinne signed a seven-year contract extension in November, and showed this season why he was so deserving of the richest deal in franchise history.
The League's workhorse goaltender -- no goalie played more than his 73 games -- Rinne led the League with 43 wins. He was seventh with a .923 save percentage while facing the most shots in the League (2,153). He also had a 2.39 GAA and five shutouts.
With Rinne in goal, the Predators finished fourth in the Western Conference with 104 points, their best season since 2006-07.
Predators goalie coach Mitch Korn told the Tennessean that the last time he saw a goalie play as well as Rinne was Dominik Hasek, who he coached in Buffalo in four of his six Vezina-winning seasons.
"The two of them are very comparable in that they're busy goalies, they like being busy and they're who the team relies on," Korn said. "That's why Pekka was a Vezina Trophy nominee a year ago … and Hasek was for a number of years.
"That's what top guys do -- they make good teams very good."
Here is what Blueshirtsunited.com has to say about it:
LUNDQVIST NOMINATED FOR VEZINA TROPHY
April 25, 12:59 PM EDT
Henrik Lundqvist was informed on Wednesday that he is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded annually to the league's top goaltender, and voted on by the general managers. It is the fourth time in his seven-year career Lundqvist has been a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, and the first time since the 2007-08 season.
"It's a great feeling, and I'm really proud and honored to be with those names," said Lundqvist, who is joined as a finalist by Nashville's Pekka Rinne and Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings. "It's been a year where a lot of goalies have been playing really well, so to be up there is really a great feeling. Obviously I take a lot of pride in that."
Lundqvist posted a career-high 39 wins this past season to go along with a career-low 1.97 goals against average, career-best .930 save percentage, and 8 shutouts. He ranked third among all NHL goalies in wins, save percentage, and shutouts, while placing fourth in goals against average.
"I think all of my teammates here should feel good about it because this is all about teamwork," explained Lundqvist, who has never won the Vezina Trophy. "I had a good year, but without them I couldn't have done this."
The winner be will announced during the NHL Awards show in Las Vegas on June 20th.
Here is what Sports.Yahoo.com said:
Vezina Trophy Finalists: Henrik Lundqvist vs. Jonathan Quick vs. Pekka Rinne
Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers, Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings and Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators are the three finalists for the 2011-12 Vezina Trophy.
Getty ImagesThis award isn't in the hands of the Professional Hockey Writers Association; instead, it's the League's 30 general managers that vote for "the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position." Because if there's anyone that can effectively evaluate the performance of an NHL goaltender, it's the men who live in a constant cycle of regret for handing them long-term contracts.
This has felt like a two-horse race for months between goaltenders that might also have a legit claim to the Hart Trophy as well: Lundqvist and Quick.
It was that third finalist slot that provided some intrigue.
Would Mike Smith of the Phoenix Coyotes get the nod for his career best 38-win season, with eight shutouts and a 2.21 GAA? Would Miikka Kiprusoff, every bit as vital to the Calgary Flames as Lundqvist and Quick were to their teams, get a nomination for his 2.35 GAA in 70 games; ditto Kari Lehtonen, who posted a 2.33 GAA and won 32 of 59 starts? Could the voters look beyond Brian Elliott's sample size and celebrate his 1.56 GAA in 38 games with the St. Louis Blues?
In the end, it was Rinne grabbing the third spot, no doubt due to his 72 games started and 43 victories.
Who wins the Vezina?
Why Lundqvist Deserves the Vezina
From the NHL:
Lundqvist was the anchor of a Rangers club that posted its best regular-season record since the Stanley Cup season of 1993-94 and captured first place in the Eastern Conference. He went 39-18-5 in 62 appearances, setting a career high in wins and becoming the first goaltender in NHL history with 30-plus wins in each of his first seven seasons. He placed near the top in all major goaltending categories: third in wins, tied for third in shutouts (eight), fourth in goals-against average (1.97) and fourth in save percentage (.930). Lundqvist is in quest of his first Vezina Trophy win, following third-place finishes from 2006 through 2008.
It's his fourth Vezina nomination, which means he's the odds-on favorite to win the thing. He's the best player on the best team in the Eastern Conference, the backbone for everything they do well. He's also trying to become the first Vezina winner to have eight shutouts and a jam session with John McEnroe in the same season.
Why Jonathan Quick Deserves the Vezina
From the NHL:
Quick was exceptional in backstopping a Kings team that ranked 29th overall in offense to a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Coming off a franchise-record, 39-win season in 2010-11, the first-time NHL Trophy finalist posted a 35-21-13 record to become the first Los Angeles goaltender to post 30 wins in three consecutive seasons. Quick led all NHL goaltenders with a franchise-record 10 shutouts and also ranked among League leaders in goals-against average (second, 1.95), save percentage (fifth, .929) and victories (T-fifth, 35). He allowed one goal or shut out the opposition in 27 games and surrendered two goals or fewer 46 times.
Jonathan Quick is the only reason the Los Angeles Kings made the playoffs and are now 12 wins away from the Stanley Cup. Frankly, he had less to work with than Lundqvist. The Rangers were fourth in the League in blocked shots; the Kings were second to last. The Rangers were 17th in takeaways; the Kings were 28th. Quick faced 347 shots shorthanded to Lundqvist's 263, and still posted a better save percentage.
Why Pekka Rinne Deserves the Vezina
From the NHL
Rinne was among the NHL's busiest netminders in 2011-12, leading the League in shots faced (2,153) and saves (1,987), tying for first place in appearances (73) and ranking second in starts (72) and minutes (4,168:52). He thrived under the workload, topping all goaltenders in wins (43-18-8) and posting a 2.39 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and five shutouts. He was particularly tough to beat with a lead, as the Predators posted the NHL's second-best points percentage when scoring first (.833, 35-3-4). Rinne earned his second consecutive nomination as a Vezina finalist, having finished second to Boston's Tim Thomas last year.
His numbers were actually down from the previous season, but his appearances (and wins) were way up. He's achieved elite status in this League, and his play in the playoffs against Detroit validates that. (But the "leading the league in shots faced" thing is a bit of a swerve; Mike Smith, on average, faced more, for example.)
Who Wins the Vezina?
Lundqvist. The Western Conference netminders, many of whom are playing in Round 2, split the vote; and as stated earlier, Lundqvist is "due."
Who Should Win the Vezina?
Jonathan Quick. Better GAA, dead heat for save percentage and had less to work with than did Lundqvist. (Let alone overcoming a coaching change during the season.) Either one can win without a second thought, and both are MVP candidates as well. But I'd give Quick the nod.
Here is what Aol.SportingNews.com had to say:
Vezina Trophy finalists: Henrik Lundqvist, Jonathan Quick, Pekka Rinne
The three men who could win the Vezina Trophy are still playing—and that's not much of a surprise
Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers, Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings and Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators were announced Wednesday as the finalists for the award, which goes to the NHL's top goaltender.
Henrik Lundqvist has never won a Vezina Trophy. (AP Photo)
— SN's award ballot: Who is Sporting News' Vezina' pick?
The winner will be announced June 20 at the NHL awards ceremony in Las Vegas.
Lundqvist led the Rangers to the most points in the Eastern Conference, going 39-18-5 in 62 appearances with a 1.97 goals-against average. He is the first goaltender in NHL history to record 30-plus wins in each of his first seven seasons.
Quick set a franchise record with 10 shutouts for Los Angeles, and was second in the NHL with a 1.95 goals-against average.
Rinne went 43-18-8 for Nashville. He also was a Vezina finalist last season, finishing second to Boston's Tim Thomas.
"It's a great feeling," Lundqvist said, according to NHL.com. "I'm really proud and honored to be with those names. It's been a year with a lot of good goalies, so to be up there, it's a great feeling. I take a lot of pride in that, but my teammates should feel good about it because it is about teamwork. Without them there would be no way I'd be up there."
Here is what ESPN.Go.Com said:
Lundqvist, Quick, Rinne are finalists
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has been named one of three finalists for this year's Vezina Trophy, awarded to the best goaltender as voted by the NHL's 30 general managers.
Lundqvist is joined by Los Angeles' Jonathan Quick and Nashville's Pekka Rinne as candidates for the trophy, which will be announced at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas in June.
Leading the Rangers to an Eastern Conference title, Lundqvist recorded career-highs with 39 wins, a 1.97 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. The 30-year-old Swede also finished the regular season with eight shutouts.
"I'm really proud and honored to be with those names," Lundqvist said. "It's been a year where there have been a lot of good goalies this year and playing really well this year. To be up there, it's a great feeling. Obviously I take a lot of pride that. I think also my teammates should feel good about it because it's about teamwork."
Said teammate Marian Gaborik: "He's been the rock of our team. The stone for us all year. He's been consistent and we wouldn't be where we are and where we finished the regular season without him."
Quick has bolstered the Kings all season and been vital to their first-round upset of the Presidents' Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference playoffs.
Quick led the league with 10 shutouts and finished second with a 1.95 goals-against average. He also had a .929 save percentage, good for fifth overall.
Rinne also has enjoyed a tremendous series for the surging Predators, who knocked off Detroit in the Western Conference quarterfinals. After signing a seven-year extension with Nashville in November, the 29-year-old Finn finished with a league-leading 43 wins in a whopping 73 games played.
Here is what NYDailyNews.com Said:
Henrik Lundqvist named Vezina Trophy finalist, NY Rangers goalie joins Pekka Rinne and Jonathan Quick
Winners will be announced at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 2
Henrik Lundqvist’s 1.97 goals against average is the best in his seven-year career, as are his 39 wins.
Henrik Lundqvist has another chance to be dubbed "King" of all NHL goalies.
On the eve of the top-seeded Rangers' decisive Game 7 Thursday night against Ottawa at the Garden, Lundqvist was named as one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender.
Lundqvist has never won the award, but he was named a finalist for the fourth time in his career Wednesday — joining Los Angeles' Jonathan Quick and Nashville's Pekka Rinne, as voted by NHL general managers.
Lundqvist led the Rangers to the Eastern Conference's best record during the regular season, winning a career-high 39 games (39-18-5) in 62 appearances, with a 1.97 goals-against average and eight shutouts.
Quick was 35-21-13 with a 1.95 GAA and 10 shutouts for the Kings, while Rinne led the NHL in wins (43-18-8) with a 2.39 goals-against.
All winners will be announced at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 20.
Here is what SBNation.com said:
Vezina Trophy Finalists 2012: Pekka Rinne, Henrik Lundqvist, Jonathan Quick Named Top Goalies
By Travis Hughes - NHL Editor
Jonathan Quick, Pekka Rinne and Henrik Lundqvist are the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy, which goes to the NHL's top goalie.
Follow @sbnation on Twitter, and LikeSBNation.com on Facebook.
Apr 25, 2012 - Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings have been named the three finalists for the 2012 Vezina Trophy, which is awarded each year to the NHL's top goaltender.
The league's 30 general managers submitted ballots for the award, and the top three vote-getters were named finalists. The winner will be announced at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 20.
Rinne compiled a .923 save percentage this season and was worked to the bone. His 2,153 shots faced led the NHL, as did his 1,987 saves in 72 starts. He appeared in 73 games over the course of the year in total, tied for the league lead. He has never won a Vezina, but he was the runner-up to Tim Thomas in 2011.
Lundqvist, a two-time Vezina winner, ranked near the top of the league in just about every category: wins, shutouts, goals-against average and save percentage. His .930 save percentage was tops among everyday NHL starting goaltenders, tied with Phoenix's Mike Smith.
Quick has never won a Vezina, but his 2011-12 season was phenomenal, his third-consecutive season with 30 or more wins. He compiled 10 shutouts in his 69 decisions, allowed one goal in 17 games and allowed just two goals 19 times.
Those are all the good ones I found, but feel free to search the web for Henrik Lundqvist Vezina Trophy related things!!
Henrik Lundqvist fired a shot at the NHL after turned away 25 Senators shots in Game 6. (AP Photo)
