2014 NHL Awards Preview – Hart & Lindsay Awards

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We wrap up our week-long preview of the NHL Awards with a look at the biggest trophies of the night.  The Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.

The Hart Trophy is awarded to the player judged to be most valuable to his team

The Hart is given to the player judged to be the Most Valuable to his team and is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, while the Ted Lindsay is awarded to the Most Outstanding Player as voted by the members of the NHLPA, the players themselves.

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The Ted Lindsay Award is given to the most outstanding player as voted by the members of the NHLPA

The finalists were obviously deserving, because the slate of nominees is the same for each award, regardless of the criteria used and who did the voting.

THE NOMINEES ARE…

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

May 13, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) waits for the puck drop on a face-off against the New York Rangers during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Rangers won 2-1 and took the series 4 games to 3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Sid the Kid played healthy for the first season in a while, four seasons to be exact.  He played 80 games for the Pens while those around him were falling like trees.  Evgeni Malkin, Paul Martin, Pascal Dupuis and Kris Letang all missed significant time this season, but Crosby was still the foundation, leading the league in points, assists, even strength points and led the Pens to the Metropolitan division title in the regular season.

Crosby has won the Hart Trophy once (2006-07) and has finished second in voting twice. He is a two-time winner of the Ted Lindsay award, including last season, and was a finalist on one other occasion.

Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks

Apr 27, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) skates against the Dallas Stars during game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Ducks defeated the Stars 5-4 and win the series 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

After an off-year for him in 2011-12, Getzlaf had a rebound year in the lockout shortened 2013, and continued to excel in 2013-14.  He was second in the league in scoring behind Crosby, and topped 30 goals for the first time, finishing with 31. He propelled the Ducks to the top record in the incredibly tough Western Conference.

Getzlaf is a first time nominee for the Hart and Lindsay Awards

Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers

Apr 13, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) smiles from the ice against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

It was a tumultuous season for the Captain of the Flyers, Claude Giroux.  Starting with an off-season finger injury that occurred while golfing that required surgery and didn’t allow him to get out of the blocks early.  He didn’t score in his first 16 games as the Flyers stumbled out of the gate,  and that was one of the main reasons for the controversial Olympic Snub from Hockey Canada.

However, whether that was a motivating factor or not, Giroux still managed to set career high in goals with 28 and he finished third in scoring with 86 points as the Flyers overcame the early struggles to get the third seed in the Metropolitan Division.

He is a first time nominee for both Awards.

AND THE WINNER IS…

May 9, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) takes the ice against the New York Rangers during the first period in game five of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Sidney Crosby will win both the Hart & Lindsay awards. While many people might not embrace the full Crosby package, there is no doubt his skills are respected by his peers and he is obviously a favorite among the media.

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