The NHL season will shut down for a few weeks to give way for the 2010 Winter Olympics, so this is the perfect time to make our 2010 NHL awards predictions.
Eastern Conference
The Washington Capitols look to have the top seed wrapped up barring a sudden meltdown over the remainder of the season. Their 89 points gives them a 14 point lead over the New Jersey Devils.
The Atlantic division will be a dog fight as the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins will be battling it out until the end. Keep an eye on the Philadelphia Flyers who seem to be hanging around dangerously close.
The Northeast division has the chance to send four teams to the playoffs, including the Boston Bruins who are currently in the ninth spot.
The team to keep an eye out for is the Pittsburgh Penguins. They will be relying upon their fresh legs after the Winter Olympics and should be primed to make a move at the division title.
Western Conference
The Chicago Blackhawks will need help from their goalies if they are going to take over the top seed from the San Jose Sharks. While they have the Central division wrapped up, all eyes are on the Detroit Red Wings to see if they are going to miss the playoffs.
While the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks will being going toe to toe for a shot at the Northwest title, the Calgary Flames can sneak in if they end up on a hot streak.
The Sharks will need to remain focused on their division race as they try to fend off the upstart Phoenix Coyotes who have been on a roll lately.
The Red Wings have the potential to be a dangerous team if their key players come back 100%. With the return of players like Johan Franzen, the Red Wings will be a serious thorn in anyone’s side when they advance to the playoffs.
Hart Trophy Front Runner
The Washington Capitals 14-game winning streak was fueled by the man who should come away with the Hart Trophy, Alexander Ovechkin. At this point in the season, he leads the NHL with 89 points, scoring 42 goals and 46 assists, to go along with a NHL best 42 + / -.
The Capitols’ Nicklas Backstrom may take away some votes with his 26 goals and 49 assists. If this happens, players like Sidney Crosby and Joe Thorton would have a chance to sneak away with the MVP award.
Norris Trophy Front Runner
As the season winds down, there appears to be a handful of players who have the inside track to the Norris Trophy for top defensemen. Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom, Washington’ Mike Green, and Chicago’s Duncan Keith all have legitimate chances at taking home the hardware.
In the end, Green should come away with the award. He leads the group with 56 points, scoring 15 goals and 41 assists. Green ranks at the top of the list when it comes to his 27 + / – and has scored 7 power play goals.
Vezina Trophy Front Runner
There has been one goalie who has been at the top off the charts this season; Buffalo’ Ryan Miller. He has compiled a 29-14 record while maintaining the NHL’s second best Goals against Average of 2.15. Miller also has the NHL’s best save percentage at .931 percent.
If there was a dark horse candidate to take it away, it would be San Jose’ Evgeni Nabokov. He has a 33-8 record to go along with a 2.29 Goals against Average and a .927 save percentage.
