New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers, and San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov were named the finalists for the 2008 Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender on Monday. Brodeur, who also won the award in 2003, 2004 and 2007, posted a 44-27-6 mark with a 2.17 goals-against average and four shutouts for the Devils this past season. This is his eighth selection for the award. During the season, the 35-year-old surpassed the 500-win plateau, while also rising to second on the all-time shutout list by recording his 96th career whitewash. Only Hall-of-Famer Terry Sawchuk has recorded more (103). Lundqvist completed his third NHL season with a 37-24-10 record, career-low 2.23 GAA and a career-best 10 shutouts -- which led the league. He joined Ron Hextall as the only netminders in league history to win 30 games in each of his first three NHL seasons, and has been a Vezina finalist in each of his three campaigns. Nabokov won a career-high 46 games for the Sharks in 2007-2008, also posting a career-low goals-against at 2.14 along with six shutouts in 77 starts. The 32- year-old had not been previously selected as a finalist. The winner will be announced on June 12 at the league's award show at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto. |
