Eichel, Kopitar and Point named finalists for Lady Byng Trophy
The Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel, Los Angeles Kings’ Anze Kopitar and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brayden Point were named finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy on Friday, as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
One of these nice guys is about to finish first.
The Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel, Los Angeles Kings’ Anze Kopitar and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brayden Point were named finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy on Friday, as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
The Lady Byng is awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability,” per the NHL.
Eichel, 28, enjoyed the most prolific season of his career with 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) to set a Golden Knights franchise record. Despite averaging 20:32 per game over 77 contests, the former No. 2 pick took only four minor penalties.
Kopitar, 37, could join Pavel Datsyuk (who won the Lady Byng four times) and Martin St. Louis (three) as the only three-time winners of the award after he also claimed the trophy in 2016 and 2023. The Kings’ captain led his team to second in the Pacific Division with 67 points (21 goals, 46 assists) while being handed two minor penalties in 81 games.
Point, 29, hit the 40-goal and 80-point milestones for the third consecutive season as the Lightning took second in the Atlantic Division. The nine-year vet recorded just seven penalty minutes, comprising of one major and one minor penalty, in 77 games.
