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Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas won the National Hockey League's Vezina Trophy for his outstanding play between the pipes in 2008-2009. The Vezina, as it is more commonly referred to, is awarded to the goalkeeper who is judged to be the best player at that position each season.

The 2009-2010 season began with high expectations for Thomas. Unfortunately, the Flint, Michigan native endured a hip injury that kept him from being able to move as quickly in his crease, and Thomas spent most of the season as the backup puck stopper to rookie Tuukka Rask.

Thomas had the injured hip surgically repaired in the offseason. That was the good news. He also had to endure a plethora of trade rumors and speculations. That was the bad news.

Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli made the decision to keep Thomas in black and gold. It is the best trade Chiarelli did not make as Thomas has regained his starting goaltender status in 2010-2011 and is having the best season of his life.

It is a widely held belief Tim Thomas is, once again, the NHL's best goaltender and will win his second Vezina Trophy in three seasons. However, it is Thomas' ability to dominate games that has people throughout the hockey world talking about him winning the Vezina Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the league's most valuable player. Dominik Hasek was the last puck stopper to achieve this lofty honor in 1997.

Other players being mentioned as MVP candidates are Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, Vancouver's Henrik Sedin (who won the award last season) and twin brother, Daniel Sedin, Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg and Calgary's Jarome Iginla. Here is a look at how those players have fared against Tim Thomas in the 2010-2011 season.