The Quiet One Gets The Prize

Two Russians finished 1-2 at the top of the NHL points race. But really, nationality and a penchant for putting pucks in the back of the net are about all they have in common. Pittsburgh Penguin Evgeni Malkin officially won the 2009 Art Ross Trophy for most points with 113, with Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals playing runner-up with 110. (Don't shed any tears for Ovie -- he managed to nab the Maurice Richard trophy, for most goals, with 56). Last year, Ovechkin became the first Russian to win the Art Ross.

But beyond the numbers, these are two very different guys. Hell, they even went so far as a public feud and requisite feel-good high-five moment. Ovechkin's the one who flies into the boards in spasms of joy with every goal (drawing the ire of Dapper Don) and is quick with a funny remark or a joke served up in gap-toothed broken English. Meanwhile, Malkin quietly dominates while playing second fiddle to a kid named Crosby when it comes to marketing the Pens -- and even further down the list when it comes to hyping the league. Could the 2009 playoffs change anything?

Pittsburgh heads into the post-season as one of the hottest teams in the league, sporting an 18-3-4 record since February 15. They're set to face Philly in the first round and the Battle of Pennsylvania and if it goes in Pittsburgh's favour, it should harden the Pens aptly for a strong run through the rest of the Eastern Conference. It's a long road, sure, but any team that can go from tears and hissy fits to red hot as fast as this team has, should be well poised for playoff success. Oh, and they have this big, quiet Russian guy with a new trophy and nice touch around the net, too.