The Hockey Stop

Washington Capitals star and NHL 2K10 video game cover athlete Alex Ovechkin was obviously disappointed his team didn't advance further in the Stanley Cup playoffs, losing to the eventual champion Pittsburgh Penguins in a seven-game Eastern Conference quarterfinals thriller. Ovechkin didn't watch the Pens win the Cup in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last Friday: "It was too hard for me to do that. But I say congratulations Pittsburgh," he told the National Post.

But for at least a few days in Las Vegas, Ovechkin gets to let loose and possibly collect some consolation hardware at the 2009 NHL Awards.

Tuesday night the Hart and Pearson trophy finalist participated in the first ever outdoor motion capture for publisher 2K Sports' fall release at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. And the perpetual showman didn't disappoint the curious spectators surrounding the hockey rink. From the Las Vegas Sun:

As for the simulation of their scoring skills Tuesday, however, the highlight came when Ovechkin, skating to the chants of 'Ovi, Ovi, Ovi' from beyond the iron fences, performed his much-maligned 'burning stick' routine after scoring from up close (pictured above).

After scoring his 50th goal of the season in March, the 23-year-old Caps winger put his stick down on the ice and pretended to warm his hands over it as if it were on fire.

It will look identical when NHL 2K10 is released, patented gold laces and all.

So while Ovechkin is once again the favorite to repeat as the league's regular-season MVP and as he experiences his first trip to Sin City, there is little doubt he would give up all the individual accolades to trade skates with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin who will be sipping champagne all summer from the Stanley Cup.

The NHL Awards show takes place this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. in Las Vegas) at the Palms. The ceremony will be televised live on Versus.

Here is the nominees list:

Hart Trophy (MVP to his team): Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit), Alex Ovechkin (Washington), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh)

Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year): Steve Mason (Columbus), Bobby Ryan (Anaheim) and Kris Versteeg (Chicago)

Norris Trophy (top defenseman): Zdeno Chara (Boston), Mike Green (Washington) and Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit)

Vezina Trophy (top goaltender): Niklas Backstrom (Minnesota), Mason (Columbus) and Tim Thomas (Boston)

Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year): Claude Julien (Boston), Todd McLellan (San Jose) and Andy Murray (St. Louis)

Lady Byng (most gentlemanly player): Datsyuk (Detroit), Zach Parise (New Jersey) and Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay)

Selke Trophy (top defensive forward): Datsyuk (Detroit), Ryan Kesler (Vancouver) and Mike Richards (Philadelphia)

Masterton Trophy (dedication and perseverance): Chris Chelios (Detroit), Steve Sullivan (Nashville) and Richard Zednik (Florida)

Mark Messier Leadership Award: Chara (Boston), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh) and Jarome Iginla (Calgary)