With the storm from the trade deadline calming and the playoff races starting to heat up, hockey fans can focus on the contests for individual hardware. Many of the NHL's postseason awards seem to be in the bag, but here's a look at some of the key races.
Art Ross Trophy (Most Points)
This one's a lock. With 98 points, Pittsburgh Penguin center and teen sensation Sidney Crosby is the far-and-away favorite to take home this award. Crosby became the youngest player to reach 200 career points last week, topping Wayne Gretzky's previous record. Points should not be high on Crosby's mind at this point, as he is preoccupied with his team's imminent playoff berth and possible move to a new city next season.
Maurice Richard Trophy (Most Goals)
Over the last month, Vincent Lecavalier has slowly emerged as the favorite to score the most goals this season. His strong offensive efforts have coincided with that of the Tampa Bay Lightning and fellow teammate Martin St. Louis, who is tied for third with 39 goals. In second is Dany Heatley of the Ottawa Senators, who has been consistent in scoring throughout the season. With center Jason Spezza having just returned to the Ottawa lineup after breaking his leg, Heatley seems to be the most legitimate threat to Lecavalier.
Perhaps most surprising in this category is the absence of Washington sniper Alexander Ovechkin from the top of the list. Many thought Ovechkin would eclipse his total of 52 goals that won him the Richard Trophy last season. But with a less-than-spectacular supporting cast, it's not surprising he has not kept pace with the others.
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
As was the case at the beginning of the season, Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin seems guaranteed to easily secure the Calder, but a few other youngsters have come through with big performances this year. Colorado's Paul Stastny has 65 points - four fewer than Malkin's 69 - and has recently tied the record of 17-consecutive games with a point by a rookie.
Center Anze Kopitar has been brilliant in his first year for the L.A. Kings. Kopitar has amassed 56 points without as strong a team as Malkin or Stastny. Even though all of these players seem deserving, the success of the Penguins will most likely put Malkin over the top.
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie)
With Detroit's Dominik Hasek enduring an injury last week, this award is Martin Brodeur's to lose. Brodeur's performance in net continues to keep his New Jersey Devils in contention for a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference. Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff has had another stellar season between the pipes, but Brodeur's dominance this year is undeniable. With 12 shutouts, Brodeur has doubled the total of the next goaltender.
Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman)
The race for the Norris Trophy might become interesting again when Nicklas Lidstrom decides to hang up his skates. With 53 points and a plus/minus rating of plus-38, Lidstrom continues to do it all for Detroit. Anaheim's Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer have had good seasons as well, but Lidstrom will be hard to get past considering his constant leadership for the Wings.
Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player)
Crosby is this year's popular choice for MVP. But is he really the most valuable to his team? The only other player that seems to come close right now is Brodeur. There is no denying that without Brodeur, New Jersey would be floundering, but the surprisingly solid play of Pittsburgh has made Crosby's odds even better than they were at the All-Star break. Dubbed as "the Next One" before his rookie season, it looks as if Crosby, at age 19, is ready to assume his throne as the NHL's best player.
Although awards races are exciting and these players are fun to watch, there is only one trophy that matters in the end, and it takes a team to win that one.
