Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon wins Hart Trophy as NHL’s MVP

LAS VEGAS — The Colorado Avalanche 's Nathan MacKinnon won his first career Hart Trophy, finishing ahead of leading point-getter Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid for the NHL 's MVP award.

MacKinnon had the best regular season of his career, scoring 51 goals and logging 140 total points. He led the NHL in even strength points (92) and was first in Dom Luszczyszyn's Net Rating model. The 28-year-old center had two previous runner-up finishes in Hart voting, as well as a pair of other top-five finishes. Now he finally can say he has won the award.

MacKinnon adds the Hart to a trophy case that already includes a Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) and Lady Byng (for "sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"). He also won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022. He finished second in Conn Smythe (playoffs MVP) voting that year behind teammate Cale Makar .

During his MVP season, MacKinnon had a 35-game home point streak to start the season, the second longest such streak to only Wayne Gretzky. He had two separate 19-game point streaks during the year, as well as two four-goal games.

The Avalanche won their first-round series before falling to Dallas in six games in the second round.

MacKinnon is now the third Colorado player to have won the Hart Trophy, joining Hall of Famers Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg.

(Photo: Sam Hodde / )