blank'/> THE PUCK REPORT: June 2019

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

2019 NHL Individual Awards Winners

When it comes to the NHL Awards, a handful are earned on statistical achievement while the rest are won through votes cast by various organizations depending on the award. The chart below shows the award winners for the 2019 NHL season.

NHL Award              Winner 
Conn Smythe Trophy                              Ryan O'Reilly
Art Ross Trophy Nikita Kucherov
Maurice Richard Trophy Alex Ovechkin
Hart Trophy Nikita Kucherov
Ted Lindsay Award Nikita Kucherov
Selke Trophy Ryan O'Reilly
Norris Trophy Mark Giordano
Vezina Trophy Andrei Vasilevskiy
Jennings Trophy Robin Lehner/Thomas Greiss
Calder Trophy Elias Pettersson
Jack Adams Award Barry Trotz
GM of the Year Don Sweeney
Bill Masterton Trophy                        Robin Lehner
Lady Byng Trophy Aleksander Barkov
King Clancy Trophy Jason Zucker
Messier Award Wayne Simmonds

2019 NHL First All-Star Team honors went to Vasilevskiy (G), Burns (D), Giordano (D), McDavid (C), Kucherov (RW) and Ovechkin (LW). The 2019 NHL Second All-Star Team roster was Bishop (G), Carlson (D), Hedman (D), Crosby (C), Kane (RW) and Marchand (LW).  

The 2019 NHL All-Rookie Team was comprised of newcomers Jordan Binnington (G), Rasmus Dahlin (D), Miro Heiskanen (D), Anthony Cirelli (F), Elias Pettersson (F) and Brady Tkachuk (F).

* See also 2018 NHL Individual Awards Winners.
* See also 2017 NHL Individual Awards Winners.
* See also 2016 NHL Individual Awards Winners.
* See also 2015 NHL Individual Awards Winners.
* See also 2014 NHL Individual Awards Winners.
* See also 2013 NHL Individual Awards Winners.
* See also 2012 NHL Individual Awards Winners.
* See also 2011 NHL Individual Awards Winners.
* See also 2010 NHL Individual Awards Winners.
* See also 2009 NHL Individual Awards Winners.

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Handshake Lines

The time-honored tradition of NHL playoff combatants shaking hands upon the conclusion of a series is among the greatest displays of sportsmanship in professional team sports today. Seconds after the horn sounds at the end of a series, players and coaches from both teams convene at center ice to celebrate each other's efforts.

The videos below capture the final moments of play in each series-ending game to date in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs along with the ensuing traditional team handshake line, sorted by round and series end date.

FIRST ROUND

The Blue Jackets eliminated the Lightning in Game 4 on April 16, 2019.

The Islanders eliminated the Penguins in Game 4 on April 16, 2019.

The Avalanche eliminated the Flames in Game 5 on April 19, 2019.

The Blues eliminated the Jets in Game 6 on April 20, 2019. 

The Stars eliminated the Predators in Game 6 on April 22, 2019.

The Bruins eliminated the Leafs in Game 7 on April 23, 2019.

The Sharks eliminated the Golden Knights in Game 7 on April 23, 2019.

The Hurricanes eliminated the Capitals in Game 7 on April 24, 2019.

SECOND ROUND

The Hurricanes eliminated the Islanders in Game 4 on May 3, 2019.

The Bruins eliminated the Blue Jackets in Game 6 on May 6, 2019.

The Blues eliminated the Stars in Game 7 on May 7, 2019.

The Sharks eliminated the Avalanche in Game 7 on May 8, 2019.

THIRD ROUND

The Bruins eliminated the Hurricanes in Game 4 on May 16, 2019.

The Blues eliminated the Sharks in Game 6 on May 21, 2019.

STANLEY CUP FINAL

The Blues eliminated the Bruins in Game 7 on June 12, 2019.

In an age of results reigning over respect, it's encouraging to see such sportsmanship in professional sport, albeit with notable exceptions (Milan Lucic 2014), abstention (Martin Brodeur 2008Derek Boogaard 2007, Chris Chelios 2007Darren McCarty 1997, Ed Belfour 1995Billy Smith, Gerry Cheevers) and disdain (Dino Ciccarelli 1996) in recent years.

* See also 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Handshake Lines.
* See also 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Handshake Lines.
* See also 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Handshake Lines.
* See also 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Handshake Lines.
* See also 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Handshake Lines.
* See also 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Handshake Lines.