Mcdavid named finalist for Hart Trophy
With all of Edmonton's focus on an elimination game with the Los Angeles Kings, Connor Mcdavid's Hart Trophy nomination kind of got lost in the shuffle Thursday morning.
Maybe that's fitting in a year when the Oiler captain's all-world accomplishments haven't really been getting the recognition they deserve. Despite posting the second-highest point total in the last 16 years (123), Mcdavid is still considered an underdog for the Hart in some eastern circles.
“Not in my opinion, I can tell you that,” said Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft. “It's quite clear to me. His impact on our team, on our organization and on our city makes it quite clear who the best player in the world is and who has the biggest impact.”
Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews and New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin are the other finalists.
“Everyone else who was up for that award, and the other two finalists, all had fantastic seasons,” said Woodcroft. “But if you're asking me who the best player in the world is, I'm glad that I get a frontrow seat to coach him every night.”
Matthews became the 21st player in NHL history to score 60 goals while Mcdavid joined Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe as the only three players in league history to have four Art Ross Trophies by age 25. It might actually be working against him that people are taking his greatness for granted.
“It's always nice, special to be in that category of player,” Mcdavid said at the club's morning skate. “But we have bigger focuses right now.”
The last two players to score 60 in a season were Steven Stamkos in 2011-12 and Alex Ovechkin (65) in 2007-08.
Shesterkin was a monster for the Rangers this year. The Vezina finalist went 36-13-4 in 52 games, leading the NHL in goals-against average (2.07) and save percentage (.935) and finishing third in shutouts (six). He had a save percentage of at least .900 in 40 of his 52 games, including at least .950 in 24 games. He allowed two or fewer goals in 33 games.
HOME SWEET HOME
Aside from falling behind 3-2 in the first-round series and having to go into Los Angeles on the brink of elimination, Brett Kulak's homecoming has been everything he imagined.
Picked up at the trade deadline from the Montreal Canadiens for William Lagesson and a second-round draft pick, the Stony Plain product has given the Oilers the kind of minutes they were counting on.
“Since we've acquired Brett, I've been nothing but impressed with him as a person,” said Woodcroft. “He comes to the rink every day with a smile on his face and he assimilated nicely into our group.”
Being part of Edmonton's stretch drive and feeling the playoff atmosphere first-hand, even though they lost two of three games at home, has been a thrill.
“It's been awesome,” he said. “It kind of makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck in the building in Edmonton when the puck is about to drop and everyone is on their feet. It's emotional, for sure.”