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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: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Corey Crawford

The Vezina Trophy debate comes down to two goalies: Corey Crawford of the Chicago Blackhawks and Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals. Holtby and Crawford have simply been in their own league. They have both carried their respective team virtually all season long. Crawford and Holtby will battle it out with Crawford likely being the guy who draws the short straw come voting time for the Vezina Trophy.

Crawford and Holtby have been eerily identical this season (though Crawford has more shutouts). Corey leads Braden as far as unadjusted even strength save percentage 93.63 percent to Holtby’s 93.59 percent. On the other hand, Holtby holds the advantage as far as adjusted even strength percentage by the slimmest of margins: 0.01 percent (93.47 percent to 93.46 percent). Crawford has a .929 save percentage while Holtby has a .927 save percentage.

Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

As great as Crawford has been, Holtby will most likely end up with more wins and could even push Martin Brodeur’s single season record of 48 regular season wins. He has 35 wins through 44 appearances and has lost just five times in regulation all season. Yes, you read that right. Holtby also has a better GAA. Crawford is right behind Holtby, but as of right now, it’s hard to say that Braden Holtby isn’t the Vezina Trophy favorite.

Braden Holtby holds another advantage. He’ll be the starting goalie of the team that will most likely end up allowing the fewest goals in the league (or at least very close to it). The Capitals have been so much better than everybody else this season. Holtby has been a driving force of that team and he masks many of their flaws.

Expect Holtby and Crawford to battle it out in the Stanley Cup Finals. Both goalies have what it takes to take their already incredible teams the distance.

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