Friday, May 2, 2008

Washington Capitals all-star Alex Ovechkin is a finalist for the Lester B. Pearson Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding player as voted by his peers, the NHL Players' Association announced yesterday. The other finalists are Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin.

Ovechkin, who led the league in scoring and the Capitals to the playoffs for the first time in five years this season, also is up for the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player. The 22-year-old previously was selected as a finalist for the Pearson after his rookie season in 2005-06. The winner will be announced June 12 in Toronto.

-- Tarik El-Bashir