Photo credit: @NHL
Now, Ovechkin has been recognized as a finalist for the version selected by his peers. Along with Carey Price and Jamie Benn, Ovi is one of three players who could take home the Ted Lindsay Award as the league’s “most outstanding player” at the NHL’s postseason awards show in Las Vegas. This is Ovechkin’s sixth Lindsay Award nomination after winning the award three years in a row from 2008-2010. Only Wayne Gretzky, with five wins, and Mario Lemieux, with four, have won more the award more times since it was established in 1971.
Below, here’s the press release from the Capitals.
ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced today that Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is one of three finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented annually to the “Most Outstanding Player” in the NHL, as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA. Montreal goaltender Carey Price and Dallas forward Jamie Benn have also been nominated.
Ovechkin is vying to become the third player in NHL history to win four “Most Outstanding Player” awards, joining Wayne Gretzky (5) and Mario Lemieux (4). He previously received the players’ Award in three consecutive seasons (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10) and was a finalist in both 2005-06 and 2012-13. Ovechkin is one of three players to win the NHLPA’s honor three straight years, joining Wayne Gretzky (1982-85) and Guy Lafleur (1976-78). He has also been nominated as one of three finalists for the 2014-15 Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team” by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
Ovechkin scored 53 goals this season to capture his third consecutive and fifth career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s leading goal-scorer. This season marked the sixth time in Ovechkin’s 10 NHL seasons he has reached the 50-goal plateau (2005-06, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2013-14, 2014-15). The Moscow native joins Mike Bossy (9), Wayne Gretzky (9), Marcel Dionne (6), Guy Lafleur (6) and Mario Lemieux (6) as the only players in NHL history to record six 50-goal seasons. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other NHL players with more than one 50-goal season since Ovechkin entered the League in 2005-06 are Dany Heatley (2), Ilya Kovalchuk (2) and Steven Stamkos (2).
Ovechkin also led the NHL in power-play goals (25), game-winning goals (11) and shots (395) this season. His 25 power-play goals set a career high and franchise record and marked the most by any player in the NHL since Teemu Selanne scored 25 in 2006-07. This season marked the third consecutive season and fourth time in his career Ovechkin has led the NHL in power-play goals (2007-08, 2012-15). The 6’3”, 235-pound left wing scored his 20th power play goal of the season on March 7 against Buffalo, marking the fourth time in his career he has scored 20 or more power play goals in a season. The only other players in NHL history with at least four 20-PPG seasons are Brett Hull (5), Mike Bossy (4), Phil Esposito (4), Tim Kerr (4) and Luc Robitaille (4).
Ovechkin recorded his 826th career point on Nov. 4 with an assist in the first period against Calgary, passing Peter Bondra (825) for first place on the Capitals’ franchise points list. Ovechkin reached the milestone in his 691st career game, 270 games faster than Bondra (961). On April 2 at Montreal, Ovechkin scored his 473rd career goal, passing Peter Bondra (472) for first place on the Capitals franchise goals list. Ovechkin scored his 472nd goal in his 755th career game, reaching the milestone in 206 games fewer than Bondra (961). Ovechkin now holds the Capitals franchise record in goals (475), points (895), power-play goals (176), game-winning goals (80), overtime goals (15), shots (3,830) and multi-goal games (100).
The 2014-15 Ted Lindsay Award recipient will be announced on June 24 during the 2015 NHL Awards from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The Ted Lindsay Award is the only award voted on by the players themselves, carrying on the tradition established by the Lester B. Pearson Award dating back to 1970-71. The Award honors Ted Lindsay, an All-Star forward known for his skill, tenacity, leadership, and for his role in establishing the original Players’ Association.
