Ovechkin seeks MVP repeat at glitzed-up NHL awards in Las Vegas, but must beat Malkin, Datsyuk

Ovechkin seeks MVP repeat at NHL awards in Vegas

LAS VEGAS — The NHL is boosting the spotlight on its annual awards ceremony, and Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin hopes that means repeat honors for him as most valuable player.

Ovechkin scored a league-high 56 goals during the regular season and will learn Thursday night whether it is enough to snag the Hart Memorial Trophy again. He would be the first repeat winner since Buffalo goalie Dominik Hasek in 1997 and 1998.

Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin won the regular season and playoff scoring titles, but votes were cast before the Penguins’ run to the Stanley Cup championship. Pavel Datsyuk, of the runner-up Detroit Red Wings, is the other MVP finalist.

The league moved its awards show to Las Vegas from Toronto.