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The NHL announced the three finalists for the 2013 Vezina Trophy on Wednesday morning, which is awarded annually to the league's best goaltender. The finalists are chosen by a vote of the league's 30 general managers.
Antti Niemi of the San Jose Sharks, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets have been chosen as the finalists for the award.
Bobrovsky has largely been considered the favorite to come away with the Vezina.
Acquired this past offseason from the Philadelphia Flyers, Bobrovsky entered camp in a competition with Steve Mason for the Blue Jackets starting job. Despite a rocky start to the year, Bobrovsky came on strong in March and carried his performance through the remainder of the season. Largely considered the biggest factor in the team's surprising run to a ninth place finish in the Western Conference, Bobrovsky registered a .932 save percentage with a 2.00 goals against average and four shutouts in 38 games played this season.
Lundqvist is the reigning Vezina winner and this year's nomination is the fifth of his career. In 43 games played this season, Lundqvist recorded a .926 save percentage with a 2.05 goals against average and two shutouts.
Niemi recorded a .924 save percentage with a 2.16 goals against average and four shutouts in 43 games played this season.
The winner of the award is expected to be announced some time during the Stanley Cup final.
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• Complete Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage