2 days Ago By Lance Hornby
Nathan MacKinnon led all NHL forwards in total time on ice this season, so it was logical he make two trips to the podium for Thursday’s two most important trophies on awards night. The Colorado Avalanche centre won both the Hart and Ted Lindsay hardware as most valuable player and most outstanding, voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association and his peers, respectively. In doing so, he out-polled two Canadian franchise stars, Connor McDavid of the Oilers for his first Hart and Toronto’s regular-season goal leader Auston Matthews for the Lindsay.
In getting both baubles, he also edged league points champion Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In paying tribute to the runners-up, Halifax native MacKinnon said “I think everyone knows, it was a real toss-up this year,” adding “some of my favourite players ever have won this (Hart) and you need great players around you.” But the seven northern franchises weren’t shut out as Vancouver captain Quinn Hughes became the first Canuck to win the Norris Trophy, dominating Roman Josi and Cale Makar as top defenceman, while Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck captured his second Vezina as chosen by league general managers.
McDavid also edged Matthews and his league-best 69 goals for second all-star team centre behind MacKinnon, with Oilers teammate Evan Bouchard just falling short of second team defence. Hellebuyck also finished 1-2 in all-star voting with Vezina finalist Thatcher Demko of the Canucks. Mac.
