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NHL: Top 5 Vezina Trophy candidates for 2016

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 11, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) makes a save on Winnipeg Jets center Bryan Little (18) during the third period at the United Center. The Blackhawks won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) makes a save on Winnipeg Jets center Bryan Little (18) during the third period at the United Center. The Blackhawks won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Who are the top five Vezina Trophy candidates as the NHL season slowly comes to an end? 

Many people believed that Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price would win back-to-back Vezina Trophies back in October. However, injuries have cost Price most of the season, which has opened the door for everyone else. This has resulted in a very spirited and heated battle for the Vezina Trophy. Five goalies have pulled away from the competition as the battle for the title of “best goaltender in the NHL” is officially on.

The first candidate is New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider. Schneider would likely get much more support if the Devils make the playoffs. As of February 13, they are not in the playoffs. They will face an uphill battle as the Pittsburgh Penguins are surging and the Boston Bruins have been able to hold on to one of the two wild card spots. If the Devils can make the playoffs, that might help his candidacy a bit. But his numbers are still a bit lacking compared to the other candidates.

Schneider has excellent numbers (.930 save percentage and a 2.01 GAA) but voters will frown upon the fact that his team likely won’t be in the playoffs. Is that fair? Probably not. That’s the way voting goes. There always has to be someone who gets left out and Schneider will have to fill that role.

Next: Petr Mrazek and Roberto Luongo

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