Niklas Backstrom named Vezina finalist

by nathaneide on Apr 27, 2009 11:44 AM CDT in News Comment 3 comments

Likely the first of two Minnesota Wild players to vie for post-season accolades, Niklas Backstrom was named a finalist for the Vezina trophy, along with Tim Thomas and Steve Mason.

Steve Mason, the brilliant young goalie of the Columbus Blue Jackets, could become only the fifth NHL player to win the Vezina and Calder trophies in the same year.

But he'll have to beat out the Minnesota Wild's Niklas Backstrom, and Tim Thomas, whose league-leading goals-against average was a driving force for the Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins this season.

The three Vezina Trophy finalists finished 1-2-3 in lowest goals-against average. Thomas allowed a mere 2.10 goals per game, while Mason was next at 2.29 and Backstrom third at 2.33.

Let's take a look at the three finalists

Niklas Backstrom

#32 / Goalie / Minnesota Wild

Height: 6-1

Weight: 196

Born: Feb 13, 1978

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Niklas Backstrom	71	4088	37	24	8	3	159	2.33	2059	1900	.923	8

Steve Mason

#1 / Goalie / Columbus Blue Jackets

Height: 6-4

Weight: 212

Born: May 29, 1988

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Steve Mason	61	3664	33	20	7	7	140	2.29	1658	1518	.916	10

Tim Thomas

#30 / Goalie / Boston Bruins

Height: 5-11

Weight: 201

Born: Apr 15, 1974

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Tim Thomas	54	3259	36	11	7	4	114	2.10	1694	1580	.933	5

Backstrom is clearly leading in games played, but is last of the three in GAA and second in save percentage. Wins don't matter, honestly. Based upon these numbers, Tim Thomas should be the odds on favorite. But he played 17 fewer games than Backstrom, so Backstrom had the harder job this year. Of course, it also means he had a better chance to hide a bad game with a few other great ones than Thomas or Mason did.

Are there deeper analytics?

According to Mirtle, Backstrom faces the easiest shots in the NHL. Of course, the "quality shot" stat is completely dependant upon the scorekeeper.

More analytics can be found at Behind the Net.

So, who do you think should win?

Poll

Who should win the Vezina?

Niklas Backstrom

68 votes

Steve Mason

6 votes

Tim Thomas

27 votes

101 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Well deserved

I agree that Thomas is likely the odds on favorite, being on a first place team, winning in the playoffs… that generally helps the cause.

Would love to see Backs win it, but Thomas is clearly the favorite.

http://www.hockeywilderness.com

by BReynolds on Apr 27, 2009 12:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just imagine

Backstrom played 10 more games than Thomas. If we had even a reasonable offensive team Backs would be the clear winner of the Vezina. hope he wins but playoffs, and better GAA and shutouts works in Thomas’ favor

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds"

Samuel Adams

by RileysCannibalJct on Apr 27, 2009 6:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs