With the clock ticking, I reveal my predictions for the regular season's most valuable player, rookie, defenseman and goaltender. Then, not in any order particular order, I offer my "two cents" on the Eastern and Western Conference representatives fighting in the Stanley Cup Finals. Warning Sign: Detroit and Pittsburgh WILL NOT compete in the championship round despite their best efforts this season, due to their goaltender issues. Although Ty Conklin has successfully taken over the goaltender reins in Fleury's absence, Conblock cannot dominate a seven-game series. What about Osgood and Hasek? Osgood's numbers declined since his incredible start and injuries have caught up to Hasek, who should retire after this season. Enjoy.

Team Trophies:

Stanley Cup (one from each conference)
New Jersey Devils-- With a vigorous Martin Brodeur patroling the pipes and veteran leader Patrik Elias slowly coming along (15 points and league-leading +13 rating last month), the Devils maintain experienced personnel capable of bringing Lord Stanley home a fourth time to the state of New Jersey.

Dallas Stars-- In a rematch from the 2000 series, the Stars stifle the Devils offense, utilize newcomer Brad Richards and team scoring leader Mike Ribeiro in key situations and a confident Marty Turco in net capture the Conn Smythe Trophy en route to a 4-2 series win.

Prince of Wales Trophy
Awarded to the Eastern Conference playoff champion

New Jersey Devils-- After a difficult schedule in October, the Devils rebound slowly but surely to overcome high-powered Ottawa, Montreal, New York (Rangers) and return to the finals for the first time since 2003.

Clarence S. Campbell Bowl
Awarded to the Western Conference playoff champion

Dallas Stars—A balanced team that has manufactured at least 20 wins on home ice and on the road thus far, the Stars will triumph over Detroit (injury-prone this season), Vancouver (cannot rely solely on goaltending in west), while San Jose’s lack of firepower (Cheechoo 21G) and Anaheim’s age (average of 29.47) will slow them down in the postseason.

Presidents' Trophy
Awarded to the club finishing the regular season with the best overall record (based on points)

Detroit Red Wings—With 97 points, the Red Wings lead the second-place Stars by seven with 14 games left in the regular season. That predicted number lessened most recently due to a slew of injuries suffered by a handful of Detroit’s skaters, including Henrik Zetterberg, Brian Rafalski and Nicklas Lidstrom. Despite the injuries, the Red Wings managed to stay atop the league through scoring (3.06, third in average scoring), defense (2.15 goals per game, first) and a variety of other statistical categories. Examples include special teams’ consistency, shots taken and allowed per game and even a league-best 54.6 percent on the faceoffs. However, the Red Wings’ lone flaw remains when another team outshoots them. With a 25 percent rate, Detroit ranks at the bottom of the league when it’s ousthot.

Individual trophies and awards

Hart Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the league's most valuable player

Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals—The kid just scored his 50th goal in a season for the second time in three years. In addition to the 54 tallies, Ovechkin leads the league in total points (92), power play goals (18), game winners (9, T-1st) and holds a 69 shots-on-goal disparity over second-place Olli Jokinen of the Florida Panthers. Most importantly, he signed a 13-year contract extension worth $124 million with the Capitals in January, yet followed that up with a 7-game point streak and a 4-goal effort later that month. “Vech” continues to produce, notching his fifth career hat trick on Monday night and now maintains a 3-game 6-goal spurt.

On the other hand, one can provide convincing evidence for Russian sniper Evgeni Malkin, who carried the Penguins in Sidney Crosby’s 21-game absence, or Devils goaltender Martin, who has been nothing short of spectacular thus far in year No. 14 between the pipes.

If the Capitals fail to make the playoffs (four points behind Flyers for eighth seed), the league may award Brodeur his first Hart Trophy. And rightfully so.

In my opinion, Malkin’s competition remains Crosby and the league also dislikes distributing ceremonious medals to non-playoff clubs, which hinder Vech's chances.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the player who exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability

Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings—For the past two seasons, Datsyuk earned the Lady Byng through a strong work ethic, perseverance and staying on the ice. In 2005-06, he committed just 22 penalty minutes and 20 penalty minutes the following season. This year, Datsyuk nearly surpassed those figures with a whopping 16 infraction minutes in 68 contests. Expect him to add a third Byng to the mantle.

Runners Up: Viktov Kozlov (44 points, +18, 16PM), Daniel Alfredsson (79 points, +16, 26PM) or Radim Vrbata (52 points, +11, 8 PM)

Sleeper: Radim Vrbata, Phoenix Coyotes—The man has not committed a minor infraction since Dec. 27. And his ability to create offensive chances make the Coyotes a potential playoff threat if they can squeeze into the postseason. They remain three points behind Vancouver for the final spot in the west.

Vezina Trophy
Awarded to the league's top goaltender

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils—Even though Marty faced an incredibly difficult challenge, starting the season on a nine-game road trip, he overcame the average October with five unbelievable months. Brodeur remains among the league’s elite netminders in several categories, including wins (36, second), total shots against (1688), goals against average (2.15, third), saves (1554, fourth), save percentage (.921, sixth), shutouts (4, T-5), goaltender assists (3, fifth) and total ice time (3,733:50). Also successful in close calls, Brodeur has recorded 21 wins in one-goal situations thus far. Let’s not forget the Devils inconsistent and insufficient scoring touch toughens Brodeur’s job in net.

Runners Up: Pascal LeClaire (among top 3 goalies in GAA, SV% and shutouts, in which his nine lead the league) and Evgeni Nabokov (compiled solid numbers despite starting 64 of 67 games to date)

Calder Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the league's most outstanding rookie player

Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals—In his first season, Backstrom feeds Vech (see above) many of his tallies. He leads all rookies with 58 points, topping Chicago’s dynamic duo, Patrick Kane (57) and Jonathan Toews (43). Although Backstrom struggles in the faceoff circle, winning merely 46 percent of the draws, his team’s hopeful playoff chances place him ahead of the Blackhawks’ skaters.

Art Ross Trophy
Awarded to the player who leads the league in total points at the end of the regular season

Alexander Ovechkin (see above)

James Norris Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position

Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens—Going with the underdog, if you believe he’s under qualified. Markov nine power goals tie him with Dion Phaneuf for the league lead. In addition, Markov positioned himself beautifully in the Canadiens rotation, nearly guaranteeing their first playoff berth in three seasons. He has produced 14 goals, 39 assists and 53 points, all within the top 4 defensemen. His two flaws remain in the -2 rating and 50 penalty minutes.

Sergei Gonchar, Brian Campbell, Brian Rafalski, Zdeno Chara and Dion Phaneuf all deserve recognition for their efforts covering the blue line. Since the reigning Norris Trophy winner, Lidstrom suffered an injury, the board remains wide open with many viable candidates.

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey

Richard Zednik, Florida Panthers—on Feb. 10, Olli Jokinen’s skate blade accidentally slicing Zednik’s carotid artery, yet not entirely. Florida trainer Dave Zenobi and other emergency medical staff rushed him to the hospital, where he underwent successful emergency surgery to remain the neck. Florida trainer Dave Zenobi arrived to the ice first and the league will likely present him with a special award after the season. He’s certainly earned that honor just as the NHL will present Zednik with the Masterton Trophy.

Runner Up: Colin White, New Jersey Devils—After suffering a career-threatening eye injury in training camp, White unexpectedly returned to the rotation in mid-November. Primarily a stay-at-home defenseman, he missed the first 20 games due to the puck-to-the-eye incident. However, his return has sparked the Devils to a solid record and more physical presence in front of Brodeur.

Anytime an athlete makes a remarkable return after a dangerous moment, the league must reward or honor him. Zednik will likely miss the rest of the regular season, but hopefully will suit up next season. Although White has played 46 games thus far, his future status remains unknown due to the condition which can relapse.

Lester B. Pearson Award
Awarded to the NHL's outstanding player as selected by the members of the NHL Players Association

Alexander Ovechkin (see above)

Jack Adams Award
Awarded to the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success

Guy Carbonneau, Montreal Canadiens—A former NHL player for the Habs, Blues and Stars, Carbonneau attempts to rescue the Habs and resuscitate them back into the playoffs. They have not won a championship since 1993, a span of nearly 15 years and absolutely too long for diehard Canadiens’ loyalists.

Frank J. Selke Trophy
Awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game

John Madden, New Jersey Devils—At age 34, the Devils still rely on Madden to compete each night against the league’s top offensive players, most of which have not celebrated their 25th birthdays. Madden’s response: “Sure thing coach.”

In addition to frustrating the opposition, Madden has added a little spice to his game, producing 18 goals, 3 on the power play and a remarkable 3 via shorthanded. Madden’s 38 points may seem minute for some players, but the team counts on his defensive presence and enjoys every goal and assist he adds to the table. Rod Brind’Amour’s two-year Selke reign has terminated. Move over and watch the league award Madden his second Selke Trophy.

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