Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros named Vezina Trophy finalist

First, he was a first-time All-Star. Now, Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros is a first-time Vezina Trophy finalist.

The league announced Tuesday morning that Saros was a finalist, along with the New York Rangers' Igor Shesterkin and the Calgary Flames' Jacob Markstrom.

NHL general managers vote on the award based on regular-season play. The winner we be announced during one of the final two rounds of the playoffs.

Saros' led all goalies in time on ice (3,931:13), starts (67) and tied for first in victories (37). His w.64 goals-against average was 14th in the league, while his .918 save% was eighth.

Shssterkin was 36-13-4 with a league-best .935 save% and .2.07 goals-against. Markstrom was 37-15-9 with a .922 save% (tied for third) and 2.22 goals-against (third). He had a league-best nine shutouts.

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Saros missed the final two games of the regular season and did not play in the Predators' 4-0, first-round loss to the Colorado Avalanche because of a lower-body injury.

Pekka Rinne, who retired before this season, is the only Predators goalie to win the Vezina, which he did in 2018. 

Reach Paul Skrbina at pskrbina@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @PaulSkrbina.