Nikita Kucherov snubbed again for Hart Trophy

TAMPA For the second straight season, Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov led the league in scoring.

And for the second straight season, it wasnt enough to win the Hart Trophy as the player voted most valuable to his team.Kucherov, who claimed the scoring title with 121 points, finished a distant third in Hart Trophy voting, which is conducted by select members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is based on regular-season performance.In the eyes of the voters, a tremendous season by Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, as well as Oilers center Leon Draisaitls 52-goal season, were too much for Kucherov to overcome.Hellebuyckbecame the first goaltender to win the Hart since Montreals Carey Price claimed the award in 2015, and Draisaitl was the runnerup this year after leading the NHL in goals.Kucherov received 25 first-place votes among the 191 votes cast.

Colorados Nathan MacKinnon placed fourth and Vegas Jack Eichel was fifth.Hellebuyck also won the Vezina Trophy, which goes to the leagues top goaltender by a vote of the leagues general managers, besting the Lightnings Andrei Vasilevskiy, who finished second.Hellebuyck received 31 of 32 first-place votes for the Vezina, with Vasilevskiy the only other goaltender to receive a first-place nod.Kucherov did win the Ted Lindsay Award, which is seen as the players MVP award because its selected by members of the NHL Players Association.

Kucherov also won the Ted Lindsay in 2019 when he won his first and only Hart Trophy.

Kucherov received his third career Art Ross Trophy, which goes to the leagues leading scorer.Last season, after leading the league with 144 points (and recording 100 assists), Kucherov finished second in Hart voting to MacKinnon.Earlier in the day, Lightning center Brayden Point finished second for the Lady Byng, which is awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.

Point was sixth in the league with 42 goals and recorded just seven penalty minutes, a late-season fight with Torontos Bobby McMann taking away from the fact that he committed just one minor penalty all season.Five Lightning players placed top four in NHL awards voting, with center Anthony Cirelli finishing second for the Selke award (top defensive forward) and defenseman Victor Hedman finishing fourth for the Norris Trophy (top defenseman).How we votedLightning beat writer Eduardo A.

Encinas Professional Hockey Writers Association votes:(Points distributed on a 10-7-5-3-1 basis.)Hart TrophyNikita Kucherov, LightningNathan MacKinnon, AvalancheConnor Hellebuyck, JetsLeon Draisaitl, OilersJack Eichel, Golden KnightsNorris TrophyCale Makar, AvalancheZach Werenski, Blue JacketsQuinn Hughes, CanucksVictor Hedman, LightningRyan McDonagh, LightningCalder TrophyLane Hutson, CanadiensDustin Wolf, FlamesMacklin Celebrini, SharksMatvei Michkov, FlyersCutter Gauthier, DucksLady Byng TrophyJack Eichel, Golden KnightsBrayden Point, LightningNick Suzuki, CanadiensMitch Marner, Maple LeafsCale Makar, AvalancheSelke TrophyAnthony Cirelli, LightningAleksander Barkov, PanthersSam Reinhart, PanthersJack Eichel, Golden KnightsAliaksei Protas, CapitalsMasterton AwardRyan McDonagh, LightningPat Maroon, BlackhawksMikhail Sergachev, UtahAll-NHL TeamCenterNathan MacKinnon, AvalancheLeon Draisaitl, OilersConnor McDavid, OilersRight wingNikita Kucherov, LightningDavid Pastrnak, BruinsMitch Marner, Maple LeafsLeft wingAlex Ovechkin, CapitalsKyle Connor, JetsBrandon Hagel, LightningDefenseman Cale Makar, AvalancheZach Werenski, Blue JacketsQuinn Hughes, CanucksVictor Hedman, LightningRyan McDonagh, LightningLane Hutson, CanadiensGoaltendersConnor Hellebuyck, JetsAndrei Vasilevskiy, LightningDarcy Kuemper, KingsNHL All-Rookie TeamForwards Macklin Celebrini, SharksMatvei Michkov, FlyersCutter Gauthier, DucksDefensemenLane Hutson, CanadiensDrew Helleson, DucksGoalenderDustin Wolf, FlamesNote: The Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player) is voted on my the members of the NHL Players Association, the Vezina Trophy (top goaltender) is selected by NHL general managers, the Jack Adams Award (top coach) is selected by members of the NHL Broadcasters Association, and the Jim Gregory GM of the Year award is selected by a panel of all NHL GMs, five NHL executives and five media members.

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