The Pittsburgh Penguins are still fighting for a playoff spot as they are being carried by multiple key faces.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a rough season to this point but are still in the fight for a playoff spot. Led by their captain, the Penguins have had a handful of key players keep the team afloat as they prepare to enter the unofficial back half of the season.

The Hockey News is running mid-season awards for every team across the NHL and these are the selections for the Penguins.

Art Ross: Sidney Crosby 50 points

For a good chunk of the season, Jake Guentzel was the Penguins points leader, but thanks to Sidney Crosby turning back the clock, he’s taken over as the leader once again. At 36 years old, Crosby is on pace for just shy of 90 points.

Rocket: Sidney Crosby's 27 goals

One area where Crosby set himself apart this year must be his goal-scoring touch. Never really known as a true scorer, Crosby is pacing for about 50 goals and could crack 600 in his career before the season is out.

Hart: Sidney Crosby

It can’t be anyone else on the Penguins roster right now. If the Penguins find their way back into the playoff picture, there is a genuine conversation to be had about Crosby taking home the real Hart Trophy.

Norris: Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson would be a good option here, but Kris Letang has morphed his game like no other. Letang has seen his offensive role take a backseat, but used that as a reason to become an elite defender and become a huge help on the penalty kill.

Vezina: Tristan Jarry

The race between Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic is genuinely close but the edge has to be given to the more regular starter. Mike Sullivan likes to play the hot hand, but Jarry has stepped up in a big way to get himself back on track as a top NHL goalie.

Selke: Bryan Rust

Everyone always wants to discuss Crosby as a real-deal Selke nominee, but it’s rare to see him playing in fully defensive situations. Bryan Rust, on the other hand, obviously has an offensive touch but has, at times, been a fixture on the Penguins' penalty kill.

Calder: John Ludvig

No one has really run away with a solid rookie performance on the Penguins up to this point, but John Ludvig at least appears to have the most stable position in the lineup. Once he returns from injury, it’s pretty likely he slots right back into his third pairing spot.

Masterton: Marc Johnstone

There are plenty of directions this could go for the Penguins. Almost two years separated Valtteri Puustinen’s first and second NHL appearances, Jesse Puljujarvi is working his way back from double hip surgery, and Jeff Carter is resurging for what could be his final NHL year.

Marc Johnstone, despite only playing one game, is deserving. His one game was his NHL debut at the age of 27 after years of playing through the minor league ranks.

Lady Byng: Bryan Rust

By definition, the Lady Byng Trophy is handed out to the player who exhibits sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct with high level of play. Rust is cruising this year with 11 goals and 27 points and only eight penalty minutes.

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