In 1996-97, Dominik Hasek played the entire season while standing on his head. Literally. Hasek played arguably the best season of any other goalie in the long and distinguished history of the NHL. Hasek won 37 games that season against 20 losses. Add in 10 ties for good measure as there were no skills competitions back then to determine tie breakers in the regular season. Hasek posted a .930 GAA and a 2.29 GAA. He dominated for 4,037 minutes. Hasek made 2,024 saves, most of which of were of the highlight reel, Sportscentre headline-topping variety. He allowed only 153 goals against. He posted 5 shutouts.
For his mastery and his expertise, Hasek was nominated for, and won, the Vezina Trophy as he was the NHLs best goaltender. The Vezina is awarded to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position. Until the 1981-82 season this trophy was awarded to the goalkeeper(s) of the team allowing the fewest number of goals during the regular season.
No brainer. Hasek also set the NHL on its ear when he was nominated for, and won the Hart Trophy. Hasek was deemed to be the most valuable player to his team. Some agreed. Most of the talking heads and insiders were aghast at the mere thought of a goaltender winning the NHL MVP. Goalies aren’t skaters. They just stand there, or in Hasek’s case, roll around and turn your spine into a Slinky in order to prevent opponents from filling his net with rubber. By definition, the Hart Trophy is awarded to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team. No argument from Sabres fans that Hasek was the heart and soul of their squad. The NHL agreed.
As the marachino cherry on the sundae, Hasek would also win the Lester B. Pearson Award, which is delivered to the NHL's outstanding player as selected by the members of the NHL Player's Association.
“The Dominator” went against conventional thinking and tradition to re-define the net minder position forever. Hasek become to tending what Edward Van Halen has become to lead guitar. Revolutionary. Often imitated, NEVER duplicated.
Jose Theodore won the Hart/Vezina combo when he dominated the NHL for Montreal in 2001-02, thus infuriating the hockey purists. Goalies can’t win the Hart Trophy they’d debate. Remember, that the paradigm shifted for good when Hasek won back-to-back NHL MVPs in 1996-97 & 1997-98. Hasek would also win the Vezina thrice in ‘96-‘97, ‘97-‘98- and ‘98-‘99. These days, anything is possible.
Roberto Luongo was nominated in 2007, however, would lose the award to Sidney Crosby.
Lets go back to the future to analyze “The King”, Henrik Lundqvist. Earlier this week, the NHL announced its three finalists for the 2011-12 Hart and Vezina trophies. It was a mortal lock heading into the postseason that Lundqvist would be the odds on favourite to win the Vezina. Lundqvist was a beast for his team this season. He started 62 games, and posted a sterling silver 39-18-5 record. His .929 save % and microscopic 1.97 GAA were as impressive as his 123 goals against and his 8 shutouts,
Lundqvist was the anchor for the Rangers team that posted its best regular season record since Mark Messier’s 1993-94 squad earned the first overall position in the eastern Conference standings. In 2011-12, Lundqvist set the NHL record with seven consecutive 30 win seasons by a starting goaltender. Lundqvist was the top of the food chain in terms of his statistical brilliance. He was third in wins (39); third in shutouts (8); fourth in GAA (1.97); fourth in save % (.930). Hank is in quest of his first ever Vezina win after finishing in third place in 2006, 2007, and 2008.Think about that for a minutes. For all his dominance, Lundqvist’s best finish in the Vezina race has been the bronze medal. Doesn’t seem right, does it?
That will all change in June at the NHL awards show in Sin City.
Credit to Quick and Rinne for their breakout seasons. I’m all about consistency. I say, play at that level for seven straight seasons and then you’ll win a Vezina.Respect is earned, not given.
Before you poo-poo whether or not Lundqvist deserves the Vezina-Hart combo platter, wrap your head around where he’s been this season, and how many demands have been placed upon his personal time. Talk about grace under pressure. “The King” has got it in spades.
The Rangers opened the season in Europe. They transitioned back to North America and didn’t slump at any point in the first month of the season. He dominated in December, as his team was being followed by a gang of HBO cameramen for the most impressive “24/7” series. Then, in January, he led his team to a 3-2 win over the Flyers in the Winter Classic. He and fellow Swede Daniel Alfredsson co-captained the Eastern All Stars in Ottawa, and impressive play continued February-April.
Add it all up. Lundqvist has had a career year, and a season that is one for the ages. He’s had the Midas Touch and he continues to lead his team in the postseason. He played a huge role in slaying the Ottawa Senators in the seven game first round series.
I picked the Rangers to play the Vancouver Canucks for the Stanley Cup. I gave the Rangers my vote to win the Stanley Cup long before Boston, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Vancouver, San Jose, and Chicago were laid to rest in round one.
Geno Malkin had himself a monster season in Pittsbugh. he scored 50 goals and added 59 assists. Take Malkin away from the Pens and they miss the Playoffs. Geno was THAT dominant.
Steven Stamkos finished the season with 60 goals. he became the first NHLer since Ovechkin in 2007 to score 60. Great season by a great player on. a bad, non-playoff team. Stamkos won't win the Hart, however, he deserves to me nominated.
I think Lundqvist deserves the Hart. I have a sneaking suspicion that Malkin will win it
Don't just take my word for it. Listen to what Marty Biron has to say about his buddy "Hankie". Remember, Biron has played with Hasek and Lundqvist. He's had a birdseye view of the best of the best goaltenders in NHL history. I know Marty and I know that he has analyzed Lundqvist's season. Marty's not one to pump tires, and I trust his assessment of Lundqvist.
Danny Freakin Briere's OT GWG pitchforks the Devils in Game 1.
thanks, puck daddy
Briere's second goal of the game, a bomb from the point is his seventh of the post season. he is now ties with team mate Claude Giroux for the NHL lead in post season goal scoring.
Moments before the OT GWG, Briere slew footed a puck past Brodeur. After a brief review the goal was disallowed.
thanks, flyers.com
Briere now has 106 points in 104 career postseason games. He has 69 points in 64 playoff games with Philadelphia, 13 career post-season GWGs, 26 goals in his past 41 playoffs games, seven goals in seven games in this playoff season.
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