Subban is finalist for Norris Trophy

Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban is one of the three finalists for the Norris Trophy, which goes to the top rearguard in the NHL.

Subban, Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson and Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings are the top three in voting conducted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The winner will be announced during the NHL Awards gala on June 24 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Subban and Karlsson are former winners of the award. Subban won the trophy in 2013, while Karlsson took the honours in 2012. Doughty was previously a finalist in 2010 when he was third in the voting.

Karlsson was the leading scorer among NHL defencemen, with a career-high 21 goals and 66 points. He also shared the NHL lead for defencemen, with 30 power-play points, and ranked third in average ice time (27:15 a game).

Subban was second in defence scoring, with 60 points, and established a number of career highs as he helped the Canadiens to the best defensive record in the NHL. He had career highs in goals (15), assists (45), points (60), plus-minus (plus-21), game-winning goals (five) and average time on ice (26:12).

Doughty wasn’t as offensively productive as the other finalists, with seven goals and 46 points, but he’s the darling of the statistics crowd. He led the NHL in a number of advanced stats, including the team puck possession metric SAT.

Subban is the second Canadien heading to Vegas. Carey Price is a finalist for the Vézina Trophy as the top goaltender. He’s also expected to get support for the Hart Trophy as the league MVP. Those finalists will be announced Thursday.