Ovechkin named Hart finalist

Apr 29, 2008 - 4:32 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, who already has won the Ross and Richard Trophies, on Tuesday was named one of three finalists for the Hart Trophy awarded to the NHL's Most Valuable Player.

Ovechkin was joined by Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Evgeni Malkin and Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla.

Ovechkin, who keyed the Capitals' late-season drive to the Southeast Division title, captured the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer with 112 points and also claimed the Maurice Richard Trophy as the league's top goal scorer with 65.

The Russian superstar broke Luc Robitaille's previous NHL record for goals in a season by a left wing (63). He scored 51 of his goals in 61 games after Bruce Boudreau took over as the Capitals' coach on November 22.

Ovechkin's goal total was the most since Mario Lemieux registered 69 in 1995-96.

Malkin led the Penguins in scoring with 106 points, finishing second in the league with 47 goals and 59 assists. He posted a 15-game point streak from October 23 to November 22, the longest by a Russian player in NHL history.

Malkin raised the level of his game when Sidney Crosby was sidelined with an ankle injury. He scored 46 points in the 28 games Crosby missed in the second half of the season and was the NHL's leading scorer after December 31 with 65 points in 44 contests.

Iginla tallied his second career 50-goal season while recording a career-high 98 points. He ranked third in the league in goals (50) and assists (48). During the season, Iginla became the Flames' all-time leader in games played and goals.

The winner of the Hart Trophy will be announced June 12 during the NHL's awards show in Toronto.