Predicting NHL award winners
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The NHL Awards will have a distinctly local flavor despite being held on Nashville’s Broadway and not New York’s.
Three Devils, two Islanders and one Ranger are among the finalists for the awards that will be handed out starting at 8 p.m. Monday.
The Post breaks down how all of the trophy races will shake out, starting with the locals:
Norris Trophy (Best defenseman)
Finalists: Erik Karlsson (San Jose), Adam Fox (Rangers), Cale Makar (Colorado)
Prediction: Karlsson is a heavy favorite after becoming the first defenseman since Brian Leetch in 1991-92 to score 100 points and the oldest ever to do so at age 32. Fox, though, may get some votes thanks to his allaround brilliance in comparison to the Swede’s plus-minus of minus-26.
Vezina Trophy (Best goaltender)
Finalists: Linus Ullmark (Boston), Ilya Sorokin (Islanders), Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg)
Prediction: Ullmark should take it thanks to a league-leading .938 save percentage and 1.89 goals allowed average. Sorokin, however, has a strong case thanks to the way the Islanders relied on him and the way he carried the team, with 60 starts compared to Ullmark’s 48.
Selke Trophy (Best defensive forward)
Finalists: Patrice Bergeron (Boston), Nico Hischier (Devils), Mitch Marner (Toronto)
Prediction: This should be an easy win for Bergeron, who has already won the award five times. Hischier, though, has established himself as someone who could be a yearly contender for the trophy after the 37-yearold Bergeron retires.
Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
Finalists: Jim Montgomery (Boston), Dave Hakstol (Seattle), Lindy Ruff (Devils)
Prediction: After the Bruins’ historic regular season, Montgomery should take this one. But Ruff — who went from hearing chants for his firing to leading the Devils to their best ever regular season — can’t be counted out.
Lady Byng Trophy (Most gentlemanly player)
Finalists: Jack Hughes (Devils), Anze Kopitar (Kings), Brayden Point (Tampa)
Prediction: This is one of the harder awards to judge, since it is a pretty subjective criteria, but Hughes should get votes with just six penalty minutes this year.
King Clancy Award (Humanitarian contributions)
Finalists: Anders Lee (Islanders), Mikael Backlund (Calgary), Darnell Nurse (Edmonton)
Prediction: All three players have done excellent work in their communities, as Lee works with Jam Kancer In the Kan to raise money for families affected by cancer and funds academic scholarships in honor of Fenov Pierre-Louis, who died of cancer at age 17.
Hart Trophy (MVP)
Finalists: Connor McDavid (Edmonton), Matthew Tkachuk (Florida), David Pastrnak (Boston)
Prediction: McDavid is expected to win going away — the only questions are whether it will be unanimous and who will come in second? It will be the third Hart Trophy for the Oilers star, who led the league in goals (64), assists (89) and points (153) last season.
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
Finalists: Matty Beniers (Seattle), Owen Power (Buffalo), Stuart Skinner (Edmonton)
Prediction: Coming off a 57point season in which he helped lead Seattle to a playoff berth, Beniers should take it.