Bruins' Montgomery, Kraken's Hakstol, Devils' Ruff named finalists for NHL coach of the year

Seattle's Dave Hakstol, Boston's Jim Montgomery and New Jersey's Lindy Ruff have been named the finalists for the Jack Adams Award.

The Adams is presented to the NHL head coach who has "contributed the most to his team's success."

Hakstol guided Seattle (46-28-8) to the club's first-ever berth in the NHL playoffs in just its second season, with the Kraken joining the Vegas Golden Knights and Atlanta Flames (now Calgary Flames) as the only franchises since 1968-69 to start from scratch and reach the post-season within their first two campaigns.

Perched atop the Atlantic Division from start to finish — just the fourth team in the NHL's modern era (since 1943-44) to lead wire-to-wire — the Bruins set league records for most wins (65) and points (135), including an NHL-record 14-game home winning streak from the start of a season (Oct. 15 to Dec. 3).

Ruff led the Devils (52-22-8) to franchise records for wins and points en route to third place in the NHL overall standings, the team's highest placement since finishing third overall in 2000-01.