Nomination or not, Karlsson is an MVP

There is no question Erik Karlsson has played his heart out this season.

Ask anybody in Ottawa who has been the NHL’s MVP this season and the name of the Ottawa Senators captain will likely be the answer.

There’s a strong argument to be made for his candidacy — and he certainly received votes — but Karlsson wasn’t among the three finalists announced Monday night.

Instead, Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid were named as the three finalists.

You have to think McDavid, given the Oilers’ success this season and the role he’s played in their emergence, is the favourite in that group.

The voting is done by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and all three in the group are deserving of consideration. Filling out the ballot was a tough call this year.

A finalist for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman, there was some thinking Karlsson might be among the final three for the Hart because he’s received a lot of the credit for the fact the Senators are back in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus.

Where would the Senators be without Erik Karlsson?

It’s a valid question. “In my opinion, he deserves consideration every year,” centre Kyle Turris said Monday after practice at Madison Square Garden. “What he does every — not only this season, but every year, is unbelievable.”

When head coach Guy Boucher took over last summer, one of his first meetings was with Karlsson to let him know the expectations and what it would take for the club to enjoy the success the team is having right now.

Karlsson could have thumbed his nose at the ideas because he’s the straw that stirs the drink.

Instead, Karlsson bought into the program and his two-way game — including blocking shots — has paid big dividends as the Senators advanced to Round 2 for the first time since 2013.

“We’re a very different team without him and that’s probably the biggest consideration for the Hart,” Turris said.

“The impact he has on our team, you could say it’s second-to-none in the league compared to another individual for his team. He’s very crucial to us.”

Karlsson wasn’t among the finalists, but people in Ottawa know what he means to the Senators.