Caps Briefing: Ovechkin Sweeps Up

Photo of Alexander Ovechkin by ctankcycles

Alexander Ovechkin completed a sweep last night of the NHL's four biggest awards. Ovechkin was named the player most valuable to his team by the NHL's players and professional writers alike, winning the Hart Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award

Ovechkin had already, of course, won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, for leading the league in goals and the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points (goals plus assists). He iss the first player to win all four trophies in one year, although we grant that the Rocket Richard trophy is still in its infancy.

Of course, we don't want to forget that Ovechkin had also already received his third consecutive Kharlamov Trophy as the best Russian player in the NHL. Last night of course, he added to that achievement when he earned his third consecutive selection as a first-team all star--the third such selection in Capitals history.

Somewhat lost in the shuffle, modest coach Bruce Boudreau also got a prize. Boudreau won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's best coach in 2008, because he took over a team in last place and helped them reach the playoffs. While he helped the team make this transition in record time, he also made household names out of Mike Green and Christobal Huet in the process.