CBC-Sports

Final drive is here ... as is the trophy chase

February 12, 2009 12:57 PM | Posted by   P.J. Stock  

I love this time of year in the NHL, the time when we separate the little boys from the men.

The first 50 games of the season are for the offensive studs to prey on the rookies and youngsters in the league and pad their stats. Many of the games are worth two points in the standings, but don't really mean anything.

Wait a second, that didn't come out right. Let me rephrase that, when you look at the value of two points of game 16 in November and where you stand on the leaderboard, a loss is a loss. Mad, upset, we can do better. But a loss in game 62 in late February? Well, let’s just say, a loss isn't just a loss anymore.

The games mean more to everyone. The top teams are trying to separate themselves from the bottom ones. The top teams are trying to get home-ice advantage in the playoffs. The middle teams are trying to make the playoffs. The bottom teams are often stuck between winning and losing. A perfect example of each would be: top team = San Jose, middle = Pittsburgh and bottom = Atlanta.

The players want to win because they are proud and have egos while the owners secretly want them to lose because they are hoping for Tavares. From the middle down as well, players are also playing for their jobs next year.

When we hit the 40-game mark everyone in this business is asked to name their first-half MVP, Vezina, Coach of the Year, yada yada yada.

Well, if I’m a player or goalie or coach, I really don't care about my first half as much as I do about my second half. You all want to know my first-half MVP and all that jazz? Well, instead, I'm going to go on a limb and give you who I think will be the eventual winners of these major awards.

You win nothing in the first half and all will be forgotten if your team doesn't make the playoffs, just ask Jarome Iginla.

Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the year)
Winner: Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks
Runner-up: Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets
Who I’d like to see win it: Blake Wheeler, Boston Bruins, or Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings

Hart Trophy (MVP)
Winner: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Who I’d like to see win it: Timmy Thomas, Bruins

Jack Adams (Coach of the Year)
This is a tough one … Mr. Sutter in New Jersey or Mr. Julien in Boston.

Lady Byng
Awarded to the player who exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
Winner: Who cares

Vezina Trophy (Top goalie)
Winner: Tim Thomas, Bruins
Everyone knocks him because he doesn't have the "butterfly style" of the others in the league. They said the same about Hasek!

Norris Trophy (best defenceman)
Winner: Nick Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
You have to knock out the champ and he's still standing.

There are a couple of other trophies, but these are the big ones that I'd like to have on my mantle. I do have some in the house, but they were from Pee Wee "CC" for participation. Tons of medals though, ribbons too. I was a mean swimmer. A little like Phelps, but less weed. How about his buddy selling him out? A great world we live in. Ooops, I digress.

Love the way the Sharks are playing. They have my vote for the parade.

Until next time …

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