https://archive.triblive.com/news/stamkos-likely-the-only-real-mvp-challenger-to-crosby-2/
Stamkos likely the only real MVP challenger to Crosby
Tampa Bay star Steven Stamkos received plenty of MVP buzz during the season's first six weeks. Then, Sidney Crosby's assault on the league began, and any thought of Crosby not winning the Hart and Art Ross Trophies disappeared.
At the season's midway point, though, Stamkos is still going strong and visits Consol Energy Center tonight in a showdown between the league's two leading scorers.
"He's a great player," right wing Craig Adams said. "He's got that shot, and you know he's going to get his chances. You can't completely take him away."
Stamkos tied Crosby for the Rocket Richard Trophy last season, as both finished with 51 goals. They are again in a dual for the award, and Stamkos appears the only player capable of challenging Crosby for the overall scoring title.
Crosby's 32 goals are one more than Stamkos. Meanwhile, the next closest player to their respective totals is Chicago's Patrick Sharp with only 23 goals.
"Stamkos isn't as physically dominating as (Washington's Alex) Ovechkin," defenseman Brooks Orpik said. "But he has gotten stronger. He's one of those guys, you've always got to know where he is on the ice."
Much like Ovechkin, Stamkos scores a lot of goals from the left side of the ice on one-time shots. Stamkos is particularly dangerous on the power play. His 13 goals with a man advantage lead the league.
"And they have other good players on the power play," said Adams, who will be on Stamkos' side of the ice in short-handed situations tonight.
"The best thing against him is to stay out of the penalty box."
• Crosby was named the NHL's No. 1 star for the second consecutive month. He registered 24 points, 14 of which were goals, in 13 games during the month.
• Coach Dan Bylsma held a second straight lengthy practice, working out the Penguins for more than an hour at Consol Energy Center on Tuesday. The team has games in five of the next eight days.
• Left wing Tyler Kennedy remained on the second line with center Jordan Staal and right wing Evgeni Malkin during practice.
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