Call it a formality or an inevitability, but it's still a great honor for Sergei Bobrovsky.
The Blue Jackets' No. 1 goaltender had a stellar regular season, compiling a career-best and new franchise record 41 wins in 63 starts. His numbers were tremendous: a 2.06 goals against average and .931 save percentage are elite-level stuff, making Bobrovsky the odds-on favorite to collect the trophy.
Also in the running are Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens and Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals. Should Bobrovsky win the Vezina this year, it would be the second of his career as he also won the 2012-13 award.
Here's more context on Bobrovsky's Vezina nomination, courtesy of the club:
Bobrovsky posted a 41-17-5 record, 2.06 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and seven shutouts in 63 games this season, leading the NHL in GAA and SV%, while ranking third in wins and shutouts (tied). Along the way, he won 14-straight games from November 29 to January 3, tying the second-longest winning streak in NHL history. He was named the NHL's First Star for the month of December (12-0-0, 1.75 GAA, .939 SV%) and Second Star in March (9-1-1, 1.09 GAA, .967 SV%) and posted three-straight shutouts on March 2 vs. Minnesota, Mar. 5 at New Jersey and March 7 vs. New Jersey to tie a club record. He also made his NHL All-Star Game debut at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in January.
The Vezina Trophy will be awarded at the annual NHL Awards show in Las Vegas, which is scheduled for June 21 at 8 p.m. It will be aired nationally on NBC Sports Network.
