The Thrash got tripped up, dropping tonights game versus the Capitals 3-2

93 Points for the ATL. 92 Points for the TBL… 2 games left for both franchises with one head to head matchup remaining — that being the last game of the season.

The Hart Trophy has been awarded to a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning before. Thge only guy to do an awards Triple Crown — the Art Ross, the Hart Trophy and the Stanley Cup in one year — since Wayne Gretzky 20 years ago. It was a worthy proclamation to give Martin St. Louis the Hart by acknowledging his two-way presence with the Lightning, his deft scoring touch and his contributiont o a Stanley Cup Champion. Next to Marty, the only true worthy candidate for the Hart was Jerome Ignila of the Calgary Flames (who led his team, by the way of the #8 seed in the west, to teh Stanley Cup final).

But what about now?

There are three forwards and two goaltenders who are up for the Hart. All players are the very reason why their teams are in contention. The netminders have proved it before — carrying their teams on their backs. One honored for such undertakings, the other passed over in the past with thanks to where he was playing. The honored forwards are products of the New NHL. Two have been compared with Gretzky while the other is a throwback from days of yore.

So who deserves the Hart as it stands right now?