Image courtesy of Amy Irvin
Claude Giroux has been named one of the three finalists for the Hart Trophy, which is given to the player who is deemed most valuable during the regular season. The other two finalists are Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks.
Giroux played in all 82 games this season and finished with 28 goals and 58 assists for a total of 86 points. That impressive total comes after his infamous start to the season, where he failed to score in the first 15 games of the regular season. Giroux managed to compile seven assists in the first 15 games of the season, as it seemed as though his offseason injury that stemmed from a golfing accident most likely impacted his output. From the 16th game on, Giroux totaled 28 goals and 51 assists for a total of 79 points in 67 games. Giroux's 58 assists let him finish fourth in the NHL in that category during the regular season, while his 86 points was good for third.
As for the other two finalists, Crosby finished with 36 goals and 68 assists for 104 points in 80 games, while Getzlaf accrued 31 goals and 56 assists for 87 points in 77 games.
Crosby is the favorite to win the trophy, as he led an injury-riddled Pens' team to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. Considering he technically didn't play a full season and still broke the 100-point plateau makes it difficult to believe either Giroux or Getzlaf will edge him out for the award.
Something to watch for will be whether or not Giroux finishes second or third in the voting. The argument can be made that Giroux should finish second, considering the talent and team around him. It is true that Giroux had the help of six other 20-goal scorers on his team, but Getzlaf also spent the whole season on a line with Corey Perry, who finished fifth in the NHL with 82 points. Giroux spent most of the season working with Jakub Voracek, who had 62 points, and Scott Hartnell, who had 52 points. Giroux also spent a good chunk of the season with Michael Raffl, a rookie who posted 22 points in 68 games. Anyway you look at it, being nominated is quite the statement for the Philadelphia Flyers' captain.
