Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid and Igor Shesterkin were finalists for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the most important player on his team in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Auston Matthews led the NHL in goals (60), with the most single-season totals of a Toronto Maple Leafs player.
The American from Arizona was also the first to reach this milestone since Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2011-2012.
Matthews finished tied with Stamkos in 6th place in the league with 106 points in 73 games.
For his part, Connor McDavid finished first scoring for the second consecutive season with 123 points (44 goals, 79 assists) in 80 games with the Edmonton Oilers.
He has won the Hart Trophy twice and is a finalist for the fourth time.
The forward was awarded the Most Valuable Player honor for his team in 2017 and 2021, and he will be the third consecutive Oilers player to receive the trophy after Leon Draisaitl in 2020.
After Carey Price, Igor Shesterkin?
For his part, Igor Shesterkin went 36-13-4 in 52 games for the New York Rangers this season. He was also named a Vezina Trophy finalist as the NHL’s top goaltender.
The Russian goalie finished 1st in the league in goals against average (2.07) and save percentage (.935), and 3rd in shutouts (6).
If he wins, Shesterkin will be the fifth Rangers player to earn this recognition and the first from Mark Messier in 1992.
He will also be the eighth goaltender to receive the trophy, the first since Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens in 2015.
The vote is conducted among members of the Professional Hockey Journalists Association (PHWA).
The name of the winner will be announced at the NHL Trophy Ceremony in the Conference Finals or in the Stanley Cup Final Series.
Source: Radio-Canada
