Price, Ovechkin, Tavares named Hart Trophy finalists

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin and New York Islanders forward John Tavares are the three finalists vying for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the NHL's most valuable player during the regular season.

Price set a Canadiens franchise record with 44 wins as part of a career season. He led the league in goals-against average (1.96) and save percentage (.933) and recorded a career-high nine shutouts while leading Montreal to an Atlantic Division title. He is also a Vezina Trophy finalist.

Ovechkin, who won the Hart Trophy in 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2012-13, scored 53 goals - 10 more than any other player in the league, becoming only the sixth player in league history to eclipse the 50-goal mark six times. He scored 33 goals in the final 40 games of the season, helping the Capitals secure a playoff berth after missing the postseason in 2013-14.

Tavares enjoyed his greatest statistical season, setting career-highs in goals (38) and points (86), willing the Islanders to their second playoff berth in three seasons. He finished second in the league scoring race, one point behind Art Ross winner Jamie Benn, who leapfrogged Tavares with a four-point performance on the last day of the regular season.