Tavares on being named Hart finalist: 'It's really hard to think about right now'

John Tavares isn't ready to think about personal accolades.

Fresh off being eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Washington Capitals, Tavares was named as a finalist for the Hart Trophy, handed out to the regular season's most valuable player.

It's quite an honor to be in the running, but the New York Islanders' captain is still lamenting an early postseason exit.

"It's really hard to think about right now just because obviously we're so fresh off the playoffs and with the way they finished," Tavares said Thursday. "It's obviously a great honor. Anytime you're up for the Hart Trophy in this league it's pretty special company. 

"Just to be a nominee, it speaks volumes to our team and my teammates, coaching staff, the belief they have in me, and the amount of support I get from them and how well they played, how well my team played. … Both years I've been nominated, both years we went to the playoffs and that's because everyone was contributing. We had a tough team to play against."

Tavares, who was also named as a finalist in 2013, scored 38 goals and added 48 assists, and finished second in total points behind Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars.

Still, despite the personal success, Tavares admits his goals for the season went unmet in light of the Game 7 loss to the Capitals.

"It's tough, especially with the opportunity we had," he said. "We felt we had something really special with this group. Expectations are high and that won't change. The people here deserve more in the postseason.

"As fun as the year was and as special as it was, we didn't get to where we wanted to be."

Alex Ovechkin and Carey Price are also in the running for the Hart.