And while he had an excellent season, Coyotes netminder Mike Smith is not among the three finalists.

Smith, who set career-best marks with 38 wins, a .930 save percentage and 2.21 goals against average, will watch one of Henrik Lundqvist, Jonathan Quick or Pekka Rinne get the coveted award.

Quick, of the Los Angeles Kings, and Lundqvist, of the New York Rangers, would be tough to argue against. They each posted sub-2.00 goals against averages, similar identical save percentages as Smith and won nearly as many games.

However Rinne, who plays for the Nashville Predators (who happen to be the 'Yotes second-round opponent), trailed Smith in both save percentage and goals against average, and tallied fewer shutouts, too.

He did, though, lead the league in shots faced and total saves, so there is that.

As for Smith, it is not like he needed any extra motivation on the ice, as he's been fantastic for the Coyotes in his first year with the team.

As such, he's carried them not only to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but to the second round as well. While the Vezina Trophy would be nice, Smith is 12 wins away from getting to hold the trophy he likely really wants to win.