Iginla, Malkin, Ovechkin Named Lester B. Pearson Trophy Finalists
POSTED: 3:12 pm EDT May 1,
2008
New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin were named finalists for the 2007-08 Lester B. Pearson Award on Thursday, which is awarded to the NHL's Most Outstanding Player as voted by fellow NHL players.Ovechkin, who was a finalist for this award in his 2005-06 rookie season, finished with 112 points (65 goals, 47 assists) winning both the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer and the Maurice Richard Trophy as the league's top goal scorer. Ovechkin set the single-season NHL mark for goals by a left wing, passing Luc Robitaille's 1992-93 season of 63 with Los Angeles. Ovechkin's 65 goals were the most in the league since Mario Lemieux's 69 in 1995-96 for Pittsburgh. Malkin is a finalist in his first NHL season after finishing second in the league in scoring with 106 points (47 goals, 59 assists). Malkin led the Penguins in scoring and picked up his team with teammate and fellow star Sidney Crosby missing significant time to injury. His 15-game point streak earlier in the season is the longest ever for a Russian born player. Iginla is a finalist for the second time, having won the award for his play in the 2001-02 season. The Flames captain finished third in the league in scoring with 98 points (50 goals, 48 assists) and his second 50-goal season.
Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.





