NHL-National Hockey League roundup

April 30 (The Sports Xchange) - Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov, Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson and Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar were named as the three finalists for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy on Saturday. The trophy is awarded annually "to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability," according to the NHL. Barkov established career highs in goals (28), assists (31) and points (59). His eight penalty minutes over 66 games were a career low and tied for the fewest among the NHL's top 50 scorers. Eriksson had 30 goals and 33 assists for 63 points, his most since the 2011-12 season. In 82 games, he had just 12 penalty minutes. Kopitar led the Kings in scoring with 74 points (25 goals, 49 assists) over 81 games. He ranked second in the NHL with a plus-34 rating. He totaled only 16 penalty minutes despite leading all forwards in ice time with 1,690 minutes and 12 seconds (an average of 20:52 per game). The winner will be announced June 22 during the NHL Awards in Las Vegas. - - - The Dallas Stars recalled left winger Curtis McKenzie and right winger Brett Ritchie from the Texas Stars of the AHL. McKenzie, 25, had no points in three games this season with the Stars. In 61 AHL games with Texas, he finished second on the team with 55 points (24 goals and 31 assists). Ritchie, 22, had one assist and seven penalty minutes in eight games with Dallas. In 35 regular season games for Texas, he finished with 14 goals and 14 assists. - - - The Detroit Red Wings assigned center Andreas Athanasiou to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. Athanasiou, 21, played in 37 games with the Red Wings during the 2015-16 season, notching 14 points (nine goals, five assists) and five penalty minutes. He also appeared in 26 games for the Griffins this season, recording 16 points (eight goals, eight assists). - - - (Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)