Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov wins the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP for second time

NEW YORK — Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, the second such honor of his career after also winning the Hart in 2019.

Read more Sun find Sophie Cunningham, Caitlin Clark too much to handle in loss to Fever

The league announced the news Thursday prior to Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Kucherov led all players with 1.71 points a game on 44 goals and 86 assists. With 130 points, he ranked second to only the Oilers’ Connor McDavid, who had 138.

McDavid was a close second by 10 points in voting by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon was third and Sharks teenager Macklin Celebrini fourth.

Read more Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman never gets rusty no matter how long he is out

Kucherov had 42 more points than his next-closest teammate, Jake Guentzel. He was third in Hart Trophy voting a year ago and second in 2023-24.

Read more With one wild inning, Catholic Memorial baseball ended a 53-year championship drought