Brodeur headlines Vezina finalists

Apr 21, 2008 - 4:51 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur was one of three finalists named Monday for the Vezina Trophy, annually awarded to the NHL's top netminder.

Brodeur, who became just the second goaltender to record 500 career victories this season, has won the Vezina three out of the past four seasons.

San Jose Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov and New York Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist were also named as finalists.

The defending winner of this award, Brodeur ranked second in the league with 44 wins - his NHL-record seventh 40-win season - and was fifth with a 2.17 goals-against average.

"The reason Marty is who he is is because he takes a lot of pride in doing things right in practice," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "Human beings are creatures of habit, and in hockey good habits start in practice. He practices like he wants to be the best."

Brodeur would become the seventh goaltender with at least four Vezina Trophies if he is named the winner.

Nabokov and Lundqvist both figure to get heavy consideration, as each also ranked in the top six in both wins and goals-against average.

A first-time finalist, Nabokov led the league with 46 victories, posting a 2.14 GAA. It is a career high in both categories for Nabokov, who helped San Jose (49-23-10) to the second-best record in the league.

Lundqvist is a finalist for the third straight year and is looking for his first honor.

The 26-year-old Swede had a career-best 2.23 GAA, leading the league with 10 shutouts. Lundqvist also tied a career high - set last season - with 37 wins.

"The good thing about Henrik is he is completely consistent day in and day out with how he prepares himself to play and it doesn't matter who the opponent is," Rangers coach Tom Renney said. "That's why he is one of the better ones in the League."

The winner of the award will be announced on June 12.