John Tavares In Running For NHL's Hart Trophy

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Washington forward Alex Ovechkin, Montreal goalie Carey Price and New York Islanders captain John Tavares are the finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association submitted ballots at the end of the regular season, with the top three designated finalists and announced Wednesday. The winner will be announced June 24 during the league's awards ceremony in Las Vegas.

Tavares had career highs in goals (38) and points (86). He played in all of the Islanders' 89 games, including the playoffs, and was one point from winning the league's scoring title. The 24-year-old was also a Hart finalist in 2012-13.

Ovechkin won the award in 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2012-13. The Russian star scored 53 goals to top the NHL for the third straight season and fifth time overall. He finished with 81 points — his most since 2010-11 — to lead the Capitals to their seventh playoff berth in the past eight seasons.

Price led the NHL in wins (44), goals-against average (1.96) and save percentage (.933), becoming the first to top all three categories since Ed Belfour in 1990-91.

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