By Michael Russo (listed in alphabetical order)

Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh: Leads the league in scoring with 79 points as team surges to playoffs.

Devan Dubnyk, G, Wild: Took a 12th-place team to the verge of the postseason in two months. He's 26-6-1 with the Wild with a 1.70 goals-against average and .939 save percentage.

Ryan Getzlaf, C, Anaheim: Centers the Ducks' top line and leads them with 68 points. Was the big reason Anaheim survived in Corey Perry's absence.

Rick Nash, W, N.Y. Rangers: Tied for second in the NHL with 40 goals, is a plus-28 and has been the Blueshirts' most consistent performer this season.

Alex Ovechkin, W, Washington: Hit the 50-goal mark for the sixth time. Only Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy (nine each) did it more.

The Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin is a six-time 50-goal scorer and could win his fourth Hart.

Carey Price, G, Montreal: Tied for league lead with 41 wins and leads the league with a 1.92 goals-against average, .936 save percentage and nine shutouts for the Atlantic leaders.

Pekka Rinne, G, Nashville: Tied for the league lead with 41 wins, ranks third in goals-against average and sixth in save percentage for a team that led the NHL for most of the season.

John Tavares, C, N.Y. Islanders: Averaging a point per game and is tied for second in scoring with Ovechkin. With superstars dwindling in the NHL, he's a rarity.