There’s less than two months left in the NHL regular season. Playoff races are intensifying. Which players are stepping to the forefront and trying to carry their teams in?

Let’s break it all down:

HART TROPHY

1.Alexander Ovechkin, Wsh (47-29-76 in 57 GP): The league’s leading goalscorer and point getter continued his remarkable play by factoring in on all three Caps’ goals in a big 3-2 overtime home win over the Rangers today. The admirable 22 year-old Russian can’t be stopped right now. If the league leader in power play goals (16) and game-winners (8) gets this Washington team into the playoffs, the league MVP is his.

2.Evgeni Malkin, Pit (31-42-73 in 56 GP): If Ovechkin is the super finisher who plays like a freight train locomotive, then the silky smooth Malkin is the superb playmaker who is a factor in every zone. Since Sidney Crosby went down, all the 21 year-old two-way pivot has done is play possessed carrying the Pens to a 6-2-2 record which included a huge 4-3 home win this afternoon in which he netted his 31st goal and three helpers to climb within three points of his Russian comrade. Geno now has eight goals and 13 assists in those 10 games, propelling the Pens to first in the Atlantic. If he continues this frenetic pace, Malkin could sneak away with his first Hart to go with last season’s Calder.

3.Daniel Alfredsson, Ott (34-39-73 in 49 GP): It’s tough to distinguish between the Ottawa team captain and very gifted linemates Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. However, it’s Alfie who is the leader of the Sens and is putting together his best season. Despite missing time due to a hip injury, he’s still tied for second with Malkin in scoring. How solid a player is the 35 year-old Swede? Nine of his 34 goals have come via the man-advantage. Nineteen have been at even strength and he’s notched six shorthanded which places him second behind only Chicago’s Patrick Sharp (seven SHG). Due to this balance, Alfredsson gets the nod over either linemate, Calgary’s Jarome Iginla, Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom.

NORRIS TROPHY

1.Nicklas Lidstrom, Det (7-47-54 in 57 GP): Has there ever been a more consistent defenseman than the ageless 37 year-old from Sweden who the Red Wings stole back in 1989 in the third round? Ray Bourque was great but I think Lidstrom just might be better. They both have won five Norris Trophies but that seems destined to change by June as the 16-year career Red Wing should take home his third consecutive Norris and sixth in the last eight years with only Scott Niedermayer winning one in between. Lidstrom has two more Cups than Bourque. His remarkable plus-43 rating paces the league and his 47 assists placed fifth entering Sunday’s games. He’s still logging over 27 minutes of ice and leading an Original Six with the best record.

2.Dion Phaneuf, Cgy (10-27-37 in 56 GP): The 22 year-old out of Edmonton has helped the other side of the Alberta rivalry become a very tough team to play against. He combines physical attributes with solid skating and a rocket of a shot which opposing goalies must watch out for. In his three-year NHL career, Phaneuf’s hit double digits every season and already has 47 goals along with 89 helpers for 136 points in 217 games. The former Calgary 2003 first rounder is never afraid to mix it up as evidenced by his 111 penalty minutes which included a scrap in a win over the Oilers last night. There should be a few Norrises coming his way in the future.

3.Andrei Markov, Mtl (12-28-40 in 56 GP): It’s pretty safe to say that the Canadiens made the right choice locking up the more steady and younger 29 year-old Russian blueliner while letting injury prone vet Sheldon Souray walk to Edmonton for greener pastures. He might not have the toughness of a Phaneuf or be very flashy but Markov’s evolved into one of the NHL’s most efficient defensemen. It’s hard not to take notice of how well the Habs have played surprising many this season. His 12 goals rank third best among D while the 40 points placed him fourth in defense scoring. What has to be admired is that he rarely ever winds up in the box (28 PIM). Instead, he’s out logging big minutes anchoring one of the more overlooked bluelines in the league. It’s no wonder this Hab team could finally make some noise come Spring.

VEZINA TROPHY

1.Roberto Luongo, Van (23 Wins, 2.21 GAA, .922 Save Pct, 6 SHO): Every season, the former Islander gets better and better. This season’s been no exception as he’s sixth in GAA and save percentage while his six shutouts are tied for third best in the league. Is this the year he finally captures a first Vezina?

2.Martin Brodeur, NJ (29 Wins, 2.19 GAA, .917 Save Pct, 4 SHO): Every year, the cynics doubt whether the model of consistency in net can keep up his very high level. He got off to another slow start this season as did the team in front of him but once again, the 35 year-old Montreal native has played brilliantly keeping the Devils in games and in position for an 11th consecutive postseason. His 29 wins rank second while his 2.19 GAA place fifth best. There’s also the matter of his continued pursuit of Terry Sawchuk’s NHL record 103 shutouts. With four so far in 2007-08, Marty has 96 for his brilliant career- needing seven more to match Sawchuk. He might not get it this year but definitely should sometime next season. 

3.Evgeni Nabokov, SJ (31 Wins, 2.16 GAA, .911 Save Pct, 6 SHO): While Brodeur and Luongo get all the accolades, the 32 year-old Russian netminder for the Sharks quietly goes about his business pacing the league in wins. Remarkably, his 31 victories account for every San Jose win because they basically have no backup. All the minutes (3,224) along with impressive numbers across the board deserve recognition. It’s why he gets the nod here over Columbus’ Pascal Leclaire, whose eight shutouts lead the league.

CALDER TROPHY

1.Nicklas Backstrom, Wsh (9-36-45 in 57 GP): The former Caps’ 2006 fourth overall selection is an impressive playmaking pivot who makes linemates better. With veteran Michael Nylander out the rest of the season, it’s been the play of the 20 year-old Swede which has Bruce Boudreau’s club with a realistic chance of qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in five years. He ranks second among rookies in points with his 36 helpers pacing all freshmen.

2.Patrick Kane, Chi (12-34-46 in 54 GP): The 19 year-old American who the Blackhawks took first overall last summer is a wondeful skater who battles extremely hard every shift. The Buffalo native possesses great hockey instincts and it’s easy to see why many were very high on him. Trying to turn around a dead Original Six isn’t easy but with Kane and linemate Jonathan Toews formind a solid chemistry, they’ll be back in the playoffs soon. His 46 points lead all rookies and is good enough for most on the Hawks.     

3.Peter Mueller, Phx (19-19-38 in 54 GP): The 19 year-old out of Bloomington Minnesota is one of the game’s rising stars. After a slow start, the former 2006 Coyotes’ sixth overall selection has howled making plenty of noise up the rookie scoring list. With 14 points in 14 games during last month, Mueller was tabbed NHL Rookie of the Month for January. He helped lead the surprising ‘Yotes to a 9-4-1 record. They trail eighth place Nashville by only two points with Vancouver also a point ahead. Mueller’s 38 points rank third best on Wayne Gretzky’s club.  

JACK ADAMS TROPHY

1.Bruce Boudreau, Capitals: What the new Washington coach has been able to accomplish since taking over for Glen Hanlon is remarkable. Turning around a young team is never easy. Especially one who most figured were a year or two away from cracking the East’s top eight. Instead, here they are competing for the Southeast Division and playing very inspired hockey. 

2.Claude Julien, Bruins: It’s amazing what a difference a year makes for Julien. Last year, he was unfairly fired by task master Lou Lamoriello before the playoffs. Justice was served as the Devs quietly bowed out to Ottawa in the second round. Julien has done sound job with the B’s getting them to play his disciplined system instead of looking like they never played hockey before under former coach Dave Lewis. Even without Patrice Bergeron (concussion) and other key players missing significant time, he has the Bruins poised to make the postseason for the first time since before the lockout.

3.Mike Babcock, Red Wings: His team might’ve fallen for the third consecutive time just now to the Ducks thanks to a dreadful call which negated a tying Lidstrom goal in the final minute but it’s hard to ignore how well Babcock’s Wings have played this season. Their 87 points are still 14 better than Dallas and 15 more than Ottawa, placing them in position to win The President’s Trophy and earn home ice for the entire playoffs. All this team does is win every season when most keep expecting them to take a fall. Sure. They have great players. But it takes a lot of good coaching to win as consistently as they do.