Caps' Ovechkin Wins MVP; Boudreau Is Coach of Year

By Tarik El-Bashir
Washington Post Staff Writer

TORONTO, June 12 -- When Alex Ovechkin accepted the Lester B. Pearson Award, given to the most outstanding player as voted by his peers, the Washington Capitals' left wing apologized to the crowd for stumbling during his acceptance speech.

He said, "Sorry, I'm nervous," before smiling, tugging at his lapel and taking a deep breath. But as it turned out, there was no reason for Ovechkin's nerves to be frayed Thursday night at the NHL Awards Show. He later captured the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP -- in a landslide.

Ovechkin is the first Capital to win either award, beating out Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin for both honors. Ovechkin also became the first player to win the Hart and Pearson awards along with the Art Ross and Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophies, given for leading the league with 112 points and 65 goals, respectively.

"I wanted to win everything," Ovechkin said. "Maybe next year the Stanley Cup."

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