Ohhhhh-V's still the league's best

 Damien Cox weighs in on the NHL's best performers heading into the second half of the regular season:

NHL MVP

Alexander Ovechkin Capitals

Honourable mention
Marc Savard Bruins

BEST GOALIE

Evgeny Nabokov Sharks

Honourable mention
Tim Thomas Bruins

BEST ON DEFENCE

Zdeno Chara Bruins

Honourable mention
Dan Boyle Sharks

BEST ROOKIE

Steve Mason Blue Jackets

Honourable mention
Drew Doughty Kings

SI.com's NHL writers:

Who is your mid-season MVP?

Michael Farber: Alex Ovechkin. He scores. He hits. He does everything but, like the carney barkers say, crawl on his belly like a reptile. While we have our shorts in a knot over the Bruins and Sharks, Capitals have quietly, it seems to me, been lurking. Ovechkin's crazy skills and infectious passion are the biggest reason.


Darren Eliot: Zach Parise has been consistent from the outset and given the Devils, according to head coach Brent Sutter, the type of season that was needed by his team.


Allan Muir: I gave serious thought to Parise. I don't think he's getting the acclaim he deserves for the magical season he's putting together. But as much as I wish I could give the nod to someone off the beaten path, how could it not be Ovechkin? Sure, his start was a bit sluggish, but over the last month he's approached every game like it's his only shot to defend last year's Hart Trophy. He's on pace to top last season's scoring totals, and Washington is winning despite dressing more Hershey Bears than Capitals most nights. Whatever your definition of MVP, you can't ignore team and personal success like that.


Jim Kelley: Ovechkin. I recognize the slow start and the early-season trip to Russia to visit his ailing grandfather is outside the norm in Old School hockey, but since his return he's been everything you could imagine in a superstar, leading his team, scoring seemingly at will and inventing an entire new fan base for the team in Washington. He's picked up 48 points in 31 games since his return and the Caps are the top team in the Southeast Division because of it. I'd give a nod to Tim Thomas in Boston and Joe Thornton in San Jose and I like some of these kid goalies in Florida and Columbus, but Ovechkin is just out front and pulling away.