Rinne was third in the NHL in 2017-18 with 42 victories, helping Nashville win its first Presidents' Trophy and earn records for wins (53) and points (117). His eight shutouts were a Predators record and he tied for the NHL lead with Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who finished third in Vezina voting this year, behind Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.
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Rinne received 22 first-place votes from the NHL's 31 GMs, his 129 points outdistancing Hellebuyck (82 points) and Vasilevskiy (21) to win the historic Vezina, presented annually since 1927.
"I was nervous, emotional," Rinne said, regretful that from the stage he didn't thank his goaltending coaches in North America and Finland and all who have played a role in his success. "It does mean a lot, I'd be lying if I denied that. Who knows? Maybe it's my last time here in Vegas, having this opportunity. I've been here four times, it does feel really good [to win]."
Rinne wouldn't ace any tests if quizzed to name winners of the Vezina from George Hainsworth, the first recipient in 1927, through those who won it into the early 1980s. But he's eager to do some research now and learn more about the legends, many of them Hall of Fame players, who have won this coveted award.