Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Crosby (35-65—100 in 79 GP) reached the 100-point milestone for the sixth time in his 14 NHL seasons to propel the Penguins to their 13th consecutive playoff berth, the longest active streak in the League. Only five players in NHL history have recorded more 100-point campaigns: Wayne Gretzky (15), Mario Lemieux (10), Marcel Dionne (8), Mike Bossy (7) and Peter Stastny (7). Crosby, who ranked sixth in overall scoring, also reached the 30-goal milestone for the ninth time and 60-assist plateau for the sixth time. He picked up his 1,200th career point March 5 vs. FLA, requiring the 11th-fewest games in NHL history to achieve the feat (927 GP). A two-time Hart Trophy winner (2006-07 and 2013-14), Crosby also topped Pittsburgh forwards in both time on ice (1,658:21) and plus/minus (+18). The 31-year-old Cole Harbour, N.S., native – who is a Hart Trophy finalist for the seventh time – is vying to become the ninth player to win the award at least three times.

Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning

Kucherov (41-87—128 in 82 GP) led the NHL with 128 points – the most by any player since 1995-96 – and 87 assists – the most by any player since 2006-07 – to capture his first career Art Ross Trophy and help the Lightning tie a League record for wins in one season (62). Kucherov, who also topped the NHL in power-play scoring (15-33—48), collected at least one point in 62 of 82 appearances (75.6%). That included a League-best 38 multi-point games, highlighted by a pair of five-point performances: Dec. 22 at EDM (1-4—5) and Feb. 18 at CBJ (2-3—5). The 25-year-old Maykop native, who set franchise records for assists and points in one campaign, also broke Alexander Mogilny’s single-season NHL record for points by a Russian-born player (76-51—127 in 1992-93 w/ BUF). Kucherov is seeking to become the second player in Tampa Bay history to take home the Hart Trophy, following Martin St. Louis’ win in 2003-04.

Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

McDavid (41-75—116 in 78 GP) factored on 50.7 percent of Edmonton’s 229 goals, the highest figure of any player in the League, as he raised his point total for the fourth time in as many NHL seasons. McDavid – who ranked second in overall scoring – never went consecutive games without a point, becoming the eighth player in League history to achieve the feat within a single campaign (minimum: 50 GP). The others: Gretzky (7x); Lemieux (3x); and Paul Kariya, Jari Kurri, Elmer Lach, Darry Sittler and Steve Yzerman (1x). McDavid did so while topping NHL forwards in average time on ice (22:50) and sharing second place among all skaters with a career-best nine game-winning goals (including three in overtime). The 22-year-old Richmond Hill, Ont., native – who won the Hart Trophy in 2016-17 – is attempting to join Gretzky (4x) as the second player in League history to capture the award multiple times prior to his 23rd birthday.

History

The Hart Memorial Trophy was presented by the NHL in 1960 after the original Hart Trophy was retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The original Hart Trophy was donated to the NHL in 1924 by Dr. David A. Hart, father of Cecil Hart, former manager-coach of the Montreal Canadiens.