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The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players Association has announced the three finalists for the 2013-2014 Ted Lindsay Award. Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks were nominated.

 

This award is presented annually to the most valuable player in the NHL, as voted on by fellow members of the National Hockey League Players Associaton. The award is presented on June 24th at the NHL Awards Show at the Encore Theater at the Wynn in Las Vegas.

 

The three nominees for this award are the same nominees for the Hart Trophy which is awarded by the NHL to the player considered most valuable to his team. This award is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

 

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

 

Crosby has battled injuries the past couple of seasons, but not this year. He scored 36 goals, and had a league leading 68 assists. His 104 points resulted in him winning the Art Ross Trophy. Crosby played in 80 games this season. This is the fifth time in his career that he has surpassed the 100 plus point mark. Crosby won the award in 2007 and 2013, and was a finalist in 2010.

 

Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers

 

In late October there is no one that would have expected to have Giroux in this position. Giroux was the catalyst that helped turn around his season and the Flyers season.   Giroux tied his career high with 28 goals. He also finished third in scoring with 86 points. Giroux did not score a goal until the 16th game of the season. His nine game point streak helped him jump back into the scoring race. His strong play helped the Flyers jump back into a playoff position. This is the first time that Giroux has been nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award.

 

Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks

 

Getzlaf netted a career high 31 goals this season. Getzlaf also had 56 assists, and 87 points. His +28 plus/minus was his second best of his career. Getzlaf helped lead the Ducks to a franchise record 116 points.  His season featured seven game winning goals, and a fourteen game point streak. It was a great season for Getzlaf. This is the first time that he has been nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award.

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