Leafs’ Matthews, Canucks’ Pettersson named Lady Byng finalists with Hurricanes’ Slavin

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews and Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson join previous winner Jaccob Slavin of the Hurricanes as finalists for the NHL’s Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, the league announced on Saturday.

The award is given annually to “the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

This is the third time that Matthews, the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goal-scorer this season, has been named as a finalist for the Lady Byng, but a first for Vancouver’s Pettersson.

The 26-year-old Matthews had 69 goals and 107 points this season — both career highs — while picking up 20 minutes in penalties, as his team made the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.

Pettersson, 25, had 34 goals and 55 assists, which was down slightly from the season before for the Vancouver forward, but posted a career high with 10 game-winning goals as his Canucks soared to a 50-23-9 record and just their second playoff berth in nine seasons. The Swede spent just 12 minutes in the penalty box all season.

Slavin won the award in 2021 and was a finalist for it again in 2022. The 30-year-old Carolina defenceman had a bounce-back year this season with 37 points, while drawing just eight minutes in penalties. Like the Canucks, the Hurricanes have already advanced to the next round.

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