By Shelly Anderson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/?m=1
Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin were each named finalists for the Hart Trophy.
Asked why he thought teammate Sidney Crosby should win the Hart Trophy as the MVP of the 2009-10 NHL season, Max Talbot resorted to counting on his fingers.
"It's because of all the things he brought every night -- not only his goal-scoring this year but his faceoffs, his timely goals, his power-play goals, his time on the [penalty-killing], his leadership," Talbot said.
"All of the above is a good reason why he deserves it."
Crosby was named Thursday by the NHL as one of three finalists for the Hart, which he won in 2007. The others are Henrik Sedin of Vancouver and Washington's Alex Ovechkin. The winner will be announced June 23 in Las Vegas.
"You look at Sedin, Ovechkin, yes, they did good," Talbot said. "But the way Sid rounded himself out to being a complete player this year is, to me, that's the reason."
Crosby, in his fifth season, eclipsed 50 goals for the first time. His 51 tied him with Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos for the league lead. Thirteen of his goals came on the power play, and six were winners. He finished tied with Ovechkin for second in NHL scoring with 109 points, three behind Sedin.
Crosby also improved in faceoffs -- taking a league-high 1,791 of them and winning 55.9 percent, which ranked eighth among those with 1,000 or more draws -- and in shootouts, where he led the NHL by scoring on 80 percent (8 of 10) of his attempts, with four of his eight recorded as winners.
Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury said accolades do not come easily when it comes to the team captain -- but only because Crosby has been ballyhooed so much for so long.
"What else to say?" Fleury said, smiling. "He's a guy that works hard every day, shows up, shows leadership on and off the ice every day in practice and games. I think he's had a very consistent season and with that many goals, I think that's a big accomplishment for him.
"I think he's a dangerous guy when you play against him every night."
Ovechkin, looking for his third consecutive Hart Trophy in his fifth NHL season, reached 50 goals for the third season in a row despite missing 10 games because of injuries and suspensions. He led the NHL with 368 shots and had the best plus-minus rating among the league's forwards, plus-45. He was named captain of the Capitals Jan. 5.
Sedin, with 112 points, topped his previous high by 30, with a career-best 29 goals and an NHL-high 83 assists. He is the first Vancouver player to win the Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion and would be the first Canuck to claim the Hart.
He is Crosby's choice.
"I don't know the exact definition of he Hart -- I don't know if it's the best player or the most valuable to their team -- but I think clearly he was consistent throughout the whole year," Crosby said of Sedin. "He plays in a lot of key situations. He's responsible defensively.
"I just think he's a complete player that's really had a great year."
Of course, Crosby likely would not point to himself. Others with the Penguins did that for him.
"The intangibles that he brings to the rink every day and that he brings to our team in a leadership capacity are becoming more and more evident," coach Dan Bylsma said. "He gets better in certain areas."
For more on the Penguins, read the Pens Plus blog with Dave Molinari and Shelly Anderson at www.post-gazette.com/plus. Shelly Anderson: shanderson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1721.
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No surprise: Pens' Crosby is an MVP finalist
By Josh Yohe, MCKEESPORT DAILY NEWS
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
April 30, 2010
It takes a team effort to win a Stanley Cup, but it could be argued that one man carried the Penguins into the NHL playoffs this season.
Sidney Crosby, who led the league in goals, is one of three nominees for the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL's most valuable player and is based soley on regular-season performances.
Washington's Alex Ovechkin, who has won two straight MVPs, and Vancouver's Henrik Sedin, who outlasted Crosby and Ovechkin for the NHL scoring title, are the other two nominees.
Sidney Crosby, who led the league in goals, is one of three nominees for the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL's most valuable player.
Chaz Palla Tribune-Review
The Penguins' locker room is squarely behind its captain.
"He'd definitely get my vote," Penguins forward Craig Adams said. "We know where we'd probably be without him."
Adams didn't elaborate on just where the Penguins would be without Crosby, but it can safely be assumed the defending Stanley Cup champions wouldn't be one of eight teams remaining in the postseason without the 22-year-old superstar.
Penguins backup goalie Brent Johnson, who is one of two players on the roster to play with Crosby and Ovechkin, also supports his teammate.
"He'd be No. 1 on my ballot," Johnson said. "Both of those guys are great, and they're both hard workers. Sid is inspirational. The way he works really can't be duplicated, but it inspires you to work as hard as you can. He's special like that."
Crosby wanted to improve on two perceived weaknesses, goal scoring and faceoffs, this season. And so, after willing himself to become better in both categories, Crosby didn't just improve in those areas but led the league in goals and faceoffs won.
"I don't think people realize just how hard he works," defenseman Alex Goligoski said. "He's still here practicing every day, even when people tell him to take a day off. That really does rub off on us. I don't know if he realizes it or not, but we follow him because of that."
The Hart Trophy winner won't be announced until a few days after a more important piece of hardware — the Stanley Cup — is awarded. And Crosby makes it clear that only playoff glory is on his mind.
"It feels good," he said. "I don't really think about the season or reflect on the season too often. I try to be consistent as much as you can. I wanted to score a little more this year. That was something I wanted to improve in, and I think I did."
Crosby's modesty is almost as legendary as his worth ethic, but his teammates are tooting his horn. Especially now, with Ovechkin stunningly eliminated from the playoffs, the hockey world's spotlight belongs to Crosby.
Who will snatch this year's MVP is anyone's guess — Crosby, Ovechkin and Sedin are all worthy candidates — but the Penguins believe their leader deserves the award again - he also won it in 2007.
"He is such a great player," Johnson said. "He is very deserving of that award."
MVP CREDENTIALS
SIDNEY CROSBY — Penguins center
Notable: Finished tied for the NHL lead in goals (51) and second in points (109) for the Penguins, who finished with the East's third-best point total.ALEX OVECHKIN — Capitals left wing
Notable: Scored 50 goals and recorded 109 points despite missing 10 games for the NHL-leading Capitals.
HENRIK SEDIN — Canucks center
Notable: On the strength of a league-best 83 assists, he recorded 112 points, 30 more than his previous best, to win his first NHL scoring title.
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