The award is given annually to the player voted best to combine sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and ability as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The winner will be announced as part of the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 26.
Kopitar led the Kings with 74 points (28 goals, 46 assists) playing all 82 games and was plus-20, tied for second on the team. The center took two minor penalties all season, leading Los Angeles forwards in ice time (20:18), power-play ice time (3:01) and short-handed ice time per game (1:52).
Kopitar helped Los Angeles (47-25-10) qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight season.
A three-time finalist, Kopitar won the award in 2015-16, and finished third in 2014-15.
Hughes led the Devils in goals (43), assists (56) and points (99) in 78 games this season, finishing with NHL career highs in each and setting the Devils single-season record for points. He took three minor penalties, the fewest among the NHL's top 46 scorers; he was 11th in the NHL in points.
"I think with Jack is he has the puck most of the time, so it's hard to take penalties when you have it," Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. "It's the game he plays. He's disciplined when he comes back and plays in his own end. He doesn't take stick infractions and he doesn't use a free hand and that's the discipline he has."
The center led Devils skaters in ice time per game (19:58) and helped New Jersey (52-22-8) clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2017-18 and increase by 25 wins and 49 points from last season (27 wins, 63 points).
A first-time finalist, Hughes would be the first Devils player to win the award. Zach Parise finished third in 2008-09, the only other time a Devils player was a finalist.
Point led the Lightning in goals (51) and was second in points (95), an NHL career high in each. The center had seven penalty minutes, including only one minor penalty in 82 games while finishing 14th in the NHL in scoring. He was second among Tampa Bay forwards in ice time per game (19:40).
Point helped the Lightning (46-30-6) qualify for the postseason for the sixth straight season.
A first-time finalist, Point would be the third Tampa Bay player to win the award, and first since Martin St. Louis in 2012-13.
Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor won the award last season.
NHL.com staff writer Mike G. Morreale contributed to this report
