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Lady Byng finalists: Datsyuk, Hudler, Kopitar

Juan Ocampo/NHLI/Getty Images

Forwards Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings, Jiri Hudler of the Calgary Flames and Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings are the three finalists for the 2014-15 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability,” the National Hockey League announced today.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association submitted ballots for the Lady Byng Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 24, during the 2015 NHL Awards from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings

Datsyuk produced at better than a point-per-game pace, totaling

26-39--65 in 63 outings to rank second on the Red Wings in scoring despite missing 19 games due to injury. His 26 goals were his most since 2009-10

(27) and six shy of his career high set in 2008-09 (32). He received just eight minutes in penalties over his 63 appearances, the lowest per-game ratio since his rookie season of 2001-02. Among the most decorated players in the 90-year history of Lady Byng Trophy voting, Datsyuk captured the award for four consecutive years (2006 through 2009) and also was a finalist in 2010, when he finished third.

Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames

Hudler finished eighth in the NHL scoring race and established career highs in goals (31), assists (45) and points (76), helping the Flames qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2009. Hudler tallied 23 points in March, when the team jumped from the outside of the playoff picture into third place in the Pacific Division. It marked the most points by any player in a calendar month this season and the most by a Flames player since December 2006 (Jarome Iginla: 10-16--26). A first-time NHL Trophy finalist, Hudler was assessed just 14 penalty minutes all season, fewest among the League's top 20 scorers.

Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings

Kopitar led the Kings in scoring for the eighth consecutive regular season, the NHL's second-longest active streak behind Washington's Alex Ovechkin (10). He topped the club with 48 assists, his most since a career-high 51 in 2011-12, and 64 points, surpassing the 60-point milestone for the eighth time in as many 82-game seasons. The 27-year-old center was whistled for just five minor penalties in 79 games. Kopitar is a first-time Lady Byng finalist and an NHL Trophy nominee for the second consecutive campaign. He finished second in voting for the Selke Trophy as the League's top defensive forward in 2013-14.