Flyers centerman Claude Giroux, the third leading scorer in the NHL, was not named Friday as a finalist for the Hart Trophy as league MVP.
Pittsburghs Evgeni Malkin, Tampa Bays Steven Stamkos and the Rangers Henrik Lundqvist are the three finalists.
Which one is that? Giroux asked.
MVP.
Im kidding! he laughed. Ah, no, I didnt see the news but at the end of the day, thats not the trophy I want. Obviously, its not something I control and a detail I dont care a lot about.
The only hardware Giroux wants is the Stanley Cup.
Malkin won the Art Ross Trophy with 109 points. Stamkos led the league in goals with 60 and Lundqvist was nothing short of spectacular in goal for the Rangers with 31 wins, a 1.97 goals against average and .930 save percentage.
NHL
Giroux had 93 points and led the NHL with 32 power play assists and 38 power play points.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net