LAS VEGAS — Already waist-deep in riches after winning the Stanley Cup a week ago, Bruins goalie Tim Thomas and defenseman Zdeno Chara could add to their treasure trove tonight at the NHL Awards ceremenonies at the Palms Casino Resort.
Thomas, who also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP, is hoping to win his second Vezina Trophy as the league’s No. 1 goaltender. Chara is looking to be awarded the Norris Trophy for a second time as top defenseman.
“Every trophy has a place in my heart,’’ said the towering Chara, who joined Thomas and the other award finalists here yesterday in a brief media session. “It’s hard to describe or explain where they rank, but they are all hard to achieve.’’
Chara is also a contender for the Mark Messier Leadership Award, along with Phoenix forward Shane Doan and Detroit blue liner Nicklas Lidstrom.
Asked to put into perspective the prospect of winning a second Vezina, Thomas said, “Well, the Cup is harder to win. I can tell you that from experience.
“If I were to win the Vezina, it would still mean a great deal to me. Last year, when I started my rehab after hip surgery, the first personal goal I set for myself was to win the Vezina again. I still look at the names on the trophy, and it’s pretty unbelievable.’’
Thomas and Chara both looked tired, no surprise given the whirlwind of the last few days, including the rolling parade through downtown Boston Saturday, a rollicking party at Foxwoods, and then flights here Monday.
Game 7 of the Cup Final was the most watched hockey game in the United States (8.5 million people) since a 1973 matchup between Montreal and Chicago. In Boston, the TV ratings approached those of the Patriots-Giants Super Bowl.
“I’d been told for a long time that Boston was a hockey city,’’ said Thomas. “A few years ago, though, we had only 9,000 people in the stands for our home opener. So to see it come back like this is pretty special.’’
Chara is joined as a Norris finalist by Shea Weber of Nashville and Lidstrom. The other finalists for the Vezina are Nashville’s Pekka Rinne and Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo.
