NASHVILLE – In plenty other years, Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne might look like a shoo-in for the Vezina Trophy — given to the league’s top goaltender — at this point in the season.

Among goalies who have played at least half their team’s games, he ranks second in the NHL in wins (38), second in goals-against average (2.09) and third in save percentage (.927).

The only problem for Rinne is the goaltender he faces tonight has been even better.

Carey Price is having a career year with the Montreal Canadiens, leading the league in victories (40), GAA (1.86) and save percentage (.938).

One will likely win his first Vezina Trophy this year, but this will be their first meeting this season. Rinne was injured when the Predators lost 2-1 in overtime at Montreal on Jan. 20.

“I just know they’re two of the best goaltenders in the world,” Predators forward Colin Wilson said. “I guess it’s always up for debate who’s the best. I don’t get a chance to see Price as much, but I do see a lot of Pekka and I know he’s unbelievable.”

A healthy Rinne has been one of the biggest differences between the 2013-14 Predators and the 2014-15 version. He played just 24 games last season because of a hip injury and posted sub-par numbers.

Despite missing three weeks this season with a knee injury, Rinne is within five victories of tying his career high for a season and is also on pace to record the best GAA of his career.

Rinne, the 258th overall pick in the 2004 draft, said he appreciates what he sees when watching Price, the fifth overall pick in 2005.

“It’s just the way he approaches the game and plays the game with a lot of poise,” Rinne said. “He’s really calm. Obviously he gives a lot of confidence to his teammates just by the way he carries himself.”

But he’s not looking at tonight’s game as a Vezina showdown.

“I think it’s funny that (awards hype) starts when you play like 30 games, and people are already starting to write about different nominations,” Rinne said. “I think it’s crazy to me. So many things can happen and there are so many games to go. I don’t pay any attention to that.”

John Glennon write for The (Nashville) Tennessean

Your games tonight

Minnesota at N.Y. Islanders, 7

Los Angeles at N.Y. Rangers, 7

St. Louis at Pittsburgh, 7

Anaheim at Columbus, 7

Arizona at Detroit, 7:30

Florida at Tampa Bay, 7:30

Montreal at Nashville, 8

Winnipeg at Vancouver, 10

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