Crosby, Ovechkin, Tavares named Hart Trophy finalists
The NHL announced Friday that Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby, Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin and New York Islanders center John Tavares are the Hart Trophy finalists.
The Hart Trophy winner -- the league's MVP -- will be announced during the Stanley Cup Finals.
Despite missing the final 12 games of the regular season with a broken jaw, Crosby finished fourth in the NHL with 56 points, second with 41 assists.
Ovechkin scored 32 goals to become the first three-time winner of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the league's leading goal scorer. He had 56 points overall. He led the league with 16 power-play goals, 27 power-play points and 220 shots on goal.
Tavares finished third in the NHL with 28 goals and led the Islanders with 47 points. He was third in the league with 15 goals on the road. Tavares ranked in the top 10 in the NHL with 19 even-strength goals, nine power-play goals and five game-winning goals.
The voting was done by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and submitted at the end of the regular season.
The NHL will begin announcing regular-season awards on Monday through May 20 starting with the General Manager of the Year Award. The remainder of the awards schedule includes:
---Tuesday: Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (perseverance and dedication to hockey)
---Wednesday: Frank J. Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)
---Thursday: Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (skill/sportsmanship)
---May 17: Jack Adams Award (top head coach)
---May 20: Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award (player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off
the ice).
