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Hart Trophy Finalists: Alex Ovechkin vs. Carey Price vs. John Tavares
The NHL announced on Wednesday that forward Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, goaltender Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens and forward John Tavares of the New York Islanders are the three finalists for the 2014-15 Hart Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team." The award is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
Sorry Western Conference!
The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 24, during the 2015 NHL Awards from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Obviously, this is Carey Price’s award with two other guys honored to be nominated. A goalie hasn’t won the award since Jose Theodore, also of the Canadiens, won in 2001-02.
Theodore played 67 games with the Habs that season, with a 2.11 GAA and a .931 save percentage. Devan Dubnyk played 39 games for the Minnesota Wild this season, posting a 1.78 GAA and a .936 save percentage. Clearly, his body of work wasn’t long enough with Minnesota for most voters, or else he’s probably a Hart finalist. Unless, of course, there just needs to be a goalie maximum of one.
Who wins the Hart?
Why Alex Ovechkin Deserves The Hart
From the NHL:
Ovechkin scored 53 goals to capture his third consecutive and fifth overall Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and also posted 81 points – his most since 2010-11 – to power the Capitals to their seventh playoff berth in the past eight seasons. He became the sixth player in NHL history to record six 50-goal seasons, led the League and set a career high/franchise record with 25 power-play goals and also paced the NHL with 11 game-winning goals (equaling a career high set in 2010-11). Ovechkin is a Hart Trophy finalist for the fifth time after winning the award in 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2012-13 and finishing as a runner-up in 2009-10.
Some would argue that Nicklas Backstrom was just as valuable as Ovechkin to the Capitals, and it’s not a baseless argument. But Ovechkin is without question a catalyst for their success: 33 goals in 45 wins this season.
Why Carey Price Deserves The Hart
From the NHL:
Price captured his first career William M. Jennings Trophy as well as the sixth in Canadiens history to backstop the club to its best regular season since 1988-89. He led the NHL in wins (44), goals-against average (1.96) and save percentage (.933), becoming the first goaltender to pace the League in all three categories since Ed Belfour in 1990-91. In doing so, Price surpassed Jacques Plante’s 59-year-old franchise record for wins in one season (42), set in 1955-56 and equaled in 1961-62 and 1975-76. He is a Hart Trophy finalist for the first time and the first goaltender among the finalists since 2011-12 (Henrik Lundqvist).
The best goalie in the League, and the backstop for a Canadiens team that struggled mightily on offense during the first two thirds of the season.
Why John Tavares Deserves The Hart
From the NHL:
Tavares set career highs in goals (38) and points (86) to finish second in the Art Ross Trophy race and lead the Islanders to their best regular-season record since 1983-84. Tavares, who appeared in all 82 games, registered at least one point in 65.9% of his contests (54/82), including a four-game streak to open the season (2-7—9) and a six-game run to close the campaign (4-8—12). He also scored four overtime goals to establish a single-season franchise record and Islanders career record (8). Tavares is a Hart Trophy finalist for the second time after finishing third in voting in 2012-13.
We imagine some New Yorkers are wondering why Rick Nash's name isn't here...
What was impressive about Tavares was his play without linemate Kyle Okposo after his eye injury: Tavares scored 12 goals in the 20 games without him, and had 27 points.
Who Should Win The Hart: Price, and it’s not even close.
Who Will Win The Hart: Price, and it won’t be close.
