Canadiens' Carey Price nominated as Vezina Trophy finalist

It didn’t take long for Carey Price to reclaim a spot as one of the NHL’s best goalies.

A year after suffering a season ending MCL sprain, the Canadiens net minder has been announced as a Vezina Trophy Finalist, an award given to the leagues best goaltender.

Vezina nominated finalists also include Braden Holtby (Washington Capitals) and Sergei Bobrovsky (Columbus Blue Jackets).

A year removed from his injury, the 29-year-old’s return was nothing short of quiet. He became the first goalie in league history to win the first 10 games in which he appeared. He finished the season with wins in 37 of his 62 starts, good enough for fifth in the league.

Price finished the season ranked top ten in four categories including saves, and save percentage. He continues to close in on Patrick Roy’s 283 all-time career wins with the Canadiens. Price now has 270 wins, good enough for third all-time behind Roy and Jacques Plante.

The native of Anahim Lake, BC has tough competition considering he’s up against last year’s winner in Holtby as well as Bobrovsky who lead the league in save percentage, and helped the Blue Jackets to their best season in team history.

Price is looking to win his second Vezina, last winning the award after an MVP season in 2015. If he wins he would join Roy as the second Canadiens goalie to win multiple Vezina trophies.

#Habs Price on contract issue: "I want to stay here. I know we'll figure out a way to make all the pieces fit & bring a championship here."

— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) April 24, 2017

Price will become an unrestricted free agent after next season, and has said he hopes to stay with the team.

The award winner will be announced at the 2017 NHL Awards on June 21st in Las Vegas.