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By Dan The Man Leach Host of SportsEdge Radio Show With the hottest game on ice at the midpoint of the season, there is a group of players who are separating themselves in the MVP (Hart Trophy) race. Some of these players are names you will recognize, some are the future of the NHL, and all are on fire through the first half of the year. 1. SIDNEY CROSBY-CENTER-PITTSBURGH (72 POINTS/24GOALS/48 ASSISTS): Well, Crosby might not be playing in Pittsburgh much longer, as the team may be moving, but while the 19-year-old is there he is making the best of it and is fast becoming the face of the NHL. Crosby leads the NHL in points and assists and is near the top in goals. For a league that lost its identity in recent years, it will be players such as Crosby who will hold the mantle like Gretzky and Lemieux did in the '80s and '90s.
2. MARTIN ST. LOUIS-FORWARD-TAMPA BAY (66 POINTS/30 GOALS/36 ASSISTS): The former Conn Smythe winner is heating up at the right time for the Lightning, who many forgot won the Stanley Cup before the strike season. St. Louis is at or near the top of the NHL in points and goals, and his Tampa team was starting to play some good hockey heading into the break. 3. MARTIN BRODEUR-GOALIE-NEW JERSEY (2.01 GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE/29 WINS/8 SHUTOUTS): Marty is doing it again and almost as well as he ever has. If he keeps this up, he will be playing his best season ever, but we all know that only another Stanley Cup would really satisfy him. Brodeur goes into the break leading the NHL in goals against average, wins and shutouts. Marty has been doing this for so long that many wouldn’t believe it when they find out this is his 17th season and is as good as any of the previous. 4. NICKLAS LIDSTROM-DEFENSEMAN-DETROIT-(PLUS/MINUS +30): Lidstrom once again is leading the NHL in plus/minus heading into the break and is relishing his role as the new captain of the Red Wings after Stevie Yzerman held that title for almost 20 years. Lidstrom is at or near the top of the league in all major defensive statistics and is a true game-changer on the defensive end. He is always a threat to score goals full-strength or short-handed and continues to add to an already Hall ff Fame-worthy career as he guns for his 4th Stanley Cup. 5. ALEX OVECHKIN-FORWARD-WASHINGTON (65 POINTS/29 GOALS/36 ASSISTS): Ovechkin is another one of the young guns in the Crosby mold and has just been lights out for the Capitals since he was drafted 1st overall in 2004. The Caps' winger has taken over games this season for the team that has struggled at times and could single-handedly be the reason that Washington qualifies for the postseason. |
