NHL awards preview/Ovechkin news

The 2008 NHL awards show is tomorrow, June 12th, at 7:00 p.m. on Versus. Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Bruce Boudreau are all up for awards from the Caps. The last time the Caps had 3 players/coach win 3 awards at the award show was back in 1984.

Ovechkin is nominated for the Hart trophy(MVP) and the Lester B. Pearson(Most outstanding player voted by the players) Ovechkin had 65 goals, 47 assist and 112 points. He was the first player to score 60 goals since Lemieux did in 1996. Ovechkin also broke the record for most goals by a LW in a season. Ovechkin led the NHL in Goals and Points. He was award the Art Ross(most points) and Maurice "Rocket" Richard(most goals).

Other players nominated-Jarome Iginla, Evgeni Malkin.

Prediction-Ovechkin wins both the Hart and Pearson. It's pretty obvious.

Backstrom is nominated for the Calder Memorial(rookie of the year) trophy. Backstrom had 14 goals and 55 assist and 69 points. Backstrom broke the Caps assist record for rookies. Ovechkin owned the previous record. Backstrom also was First NHL rookie to record 4 assists in two consecutive games. Backstrom lead rookies in assist and was 2nd in points. Backstrom had a better +/- then Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews and had less PIM's.

Other players nominated-Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews

Prediction-I think that Kane will win. Kane is American and plays for an original 6 team. The NHL wants to promote hockey in America so I think Kane will win.

Boudreau is nominated for the Jack Adams(coach of the year) trophy. Boudreau had a record of 37-17-7 in 61 games. He took over the Caps team on November 22, The Caps record was 6-14-1 and the Caps were in last place in the SouthEast division and last in the Eastern Conference. Boudreau led the team to their first SouthEast division title in 7 years.

Other coaches nominated-Mike Babcock, Guy Carbonneau

Prediction-I think that Boudreau wins. People love a good story and that's what Boudreau is. Boudreau coached 17 years in the minor league before he got his chance in the NHL.

Ok, so that's my preview for the NHL awards.

Here's the Ovechkin news. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/2008/06/city_to_honor_ovechkin_if_he_w.html

If Ovechkin wins the Hart trophy tomorrow, the city of D.C. is going to honor Ovechkin. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty will present Ovechkin with the keys to the city during a fan celebration. The celebration will begin at 4 p.m. and will be on the steps of Wilson building. The celebration will be open to the public.