When you’re going up against two goalies who participated in the NHL Stanley Cup Final, the likelihood of beating out the other two candidates is pretty slim, but Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators has unquestionably earned his right to be in one of the top three spots for the Vezina Trophy.
The Vezina Trophy is awarded every NHL year to the most outstanding goaltender. Rinne played a crucial role “in securing the Predators’ sixth playoff berth in the past seven seasons by registering career-best totals in all major categories. He started 42 of Nashville’s final 46 games, posting 25 wins in that span and allowing two goals or fewer 28 times. He ranked second among NHL goaltenders in save percentage (.930) and placed third in goals-against average.” (NHL Awards Media Guide)
For Pekka, going up against Roberto Luongo and Tim Thomas, may make him the odd man out to win the Vezina this year, but he still made the trip to Las Vegas, despite the movie “The Hangover” scaring him. Yes, he saw the movie and it scared him about coming to Vegas.
While walking around the Palms, he talked about his Vegas fears, growing up hockey in Finland and being a Nashville Predator.
To read more of Michelle Kenneth’s article on Inside Hockey click here.