Tonight, the NHL Awards take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The festivities kick off at 4:00 PM; you can stream the broadcast on NBC Sports Live Extra, or tune in on NBCSN (USA) or SportsNet (Canada).
Last year, the Los Angeles Kings got to rub their Stanley Cup in everyone’s faces…
No matter what happens at this year’s NHL Awards, nothing will top making everyone watch this mid-broadcast: http://t.co/R6T772KDbZ
— Jewels frm the Crown (@JFTC_Kings) June 24, 2015
… but this year, it’s merely a wait to see whether a member of these Kings can finally win an individual regular season award. (At least, one that’s voted on by more than one person.) Here’s what you might be interested in tonight:
NORRIS TROPHY
Nominees: Drew Doughty, Erik Karlsson, P.K. Subban
The Odds: Karlsson (1/4), Subban (11/4), Doughty (6/1)
The Skinny: Doughty would probably be taking this award home if the Kings had qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Instead, it’ll probably be won by the guy whose team made the playoffs against all odds. I think Doughty’s actual odds are better than Vegas is giving, though.
SELKE TROPHY
Nominees: Anze Kopitar, Patrice Bergeron, Jonathan Toews
The Odds: Bergeron (2/9), Toews (7/2), Kopitar (5/1).
The Skinny: Bergeron’s to lose, again, and I think Kopitar’s odds are worse than Vegas is giving. And now that Toews is the captain of the league’s Dynasty*, Kopitar’s gonna have to step it up if he wants to beat these two next year. Life isn’t fair.
*Dynasty claim invalid if Kings win Stanley Cup in 2016
LADY BYNG
Nominees: Anze Kopitar, Pavel Datsyuk, Jiri Hudler
The Odds: Kopitar (5/11), Datsyuk (12/5), Hudler (4/1)
The Skinny: For the first time in a LONG time, a King is favored for an individual trophy. Granted, it’s the one given out for gentlemanly play and the one which is basically saying “we didn’t think you were worthy of any other ones despite your all-around heroism for the last five years,” but it’s the least that Kopitar deserves. Wear your two rings to the stage, Kopi.
(all odds via Bovada)
And finally, here are the rest of the finalists. Enjoy the show.
Hart Trophy: Alex Ovechkin, Carey Price, John Tavares
Vezina Trophy: Devan Dubnyk, Price, Pekka Rinne
Calder Trophy: Aaron Ekblad, Johnny Gaudreau, Mark Stone
Masterton Trophy: Dubnyk, Andrew Hammond, Kris Letang
NHL Foundation Award (community service): Brent Burns, Mark Giordano, Henrik Lundqvist
Mark Messier Leadership Award: Ryan Getzlaf, Andrew Ladd, Toews
Ted Lindsay Award (players’ MVP): Jamie Benn, Ovechkin, Price
Jack Adams Award: Bob Hartley, Peter Laviolette, Alain Vigneault
General Manager of the Year: Glen Sather, Bob Murray, Steve Yzerman
Who will win an award tonight?
| Doughty only | 4 |
| Kopitar only | 39 |
| Kopitar only (x2) | 1 |
| Doughty and Kopitar | 25 |
| Doughty and Kopitar (x2) | 3 |
| Neither | 30 |