NHL Franchise Boys

With the midway point of the 2010-11 season here, it’s time to hand out the first-half fantasy awards.

Midseason MVP: Sidney Crosby
Honorable Mentions: Tim Thomas, Steven Stamkos

Midseason Underachiever: Ilya Kovalchuk
Honorable Mentions: Martin Brodeur, Sergei Gonchar

Midseason Biggest Surprise: Dustin Byfuglien
Honorable Mentions: Ondrej Pavelec, Patrick Sharp

Midseason Comeback Player: Justin Williams
Honorable Mentions: Johan Franzen, Milan Lucic

Midseason Rookie Standout: Logan Couture
Honorable Mentions: Jeff Skinner, Sergei Bobrovsky

Midseason MVP — Defense: Dustin Byfuglien
Honorable Mentions: Nicklas Lidstrom, Kris Letang
Just Missed: Dan Boyle, Keith Yandle

Midseason MVP — Goalie: Tim Thomas
Honorable Mentions: Jonathan Quick, Carey Price
Just Missed: Henrik Lundqvist, Ondrej Pavelec

Midseason MVP — Center: Sidney Crosby
Honorable Mentions: Steven Stamkos, Brad Richards
Just Missed: Henrik Sedin, Anze Kopitar

Midseason MVP — Left Wing: Alex Ovechkin
Honorable Mentions: Daniel Sedin, Henrik Zetterberg
Just Missed: Dany Heatley, Patrick Sharp

Midseason MVP — Right Wing: Corey Perry
Honorable Mentions: Martin St. Louis, Alexander Semin
Just Missed: Jeff Carter, Loui Eriksson

When the buzzer sounded on Tampa’s 2-1 win over Ottawa on Saturday night — Game No. 615 of 1,230 on the regular-season schedule — the league officially moved into the second half. Here’s a look ahead at a few games worth watching before the regular season wraps up on April 10:

Jan. 23 — Philadelphia at Chicago: A rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup final kicks off NBC’s game of the week coverage. The teams have gone in different directions this season — Philly is near the top of the Eastern Conference while the Blackhawks are battling for a playoff spot in the West.

Feb. 6 — Pittsburgh at Washington: The Penguins and Capitals renew acquaintances for the first time since the Winter Classic. It will be a matinee game at Verizon Centre and an excellent prelude to the NFL’s Super Bowl.

Feb. 20 — Montreal at Calgary (at McMahon Stadium): The NHL goes outdoors in Canada for the first time since a bitterly cold evening at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium in 2003. Calgary is known for its fickle weather patterns, so meteorologists will receive as much attention as the Habs and Flames ahead of this one.

March 10 — Montreal at St. Louis: The Canadiens face Jaroslav Halak for the first time since the popular goaltender was traded away in the summer.

April 10 — Dallas at Minnesota: Of the five games taking place on the final day of the regular season, this one appears to be the most likely to have an impact on the playoffs. It will also be the last game played before the post-season begins on April 13.

Please forward me your personalized Christmas card and I will gladly post it here for the Hockey Bros family to enjoy! Happy Holidays and Best Wishes to all!

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