LAS VEGAS (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player.
The Russian superstar and NHL scoring champion won the Hart for the first time Wednesday night at the NHL Awards ceremony at the Wynn Las Vegas casino.
Malkin beat out Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos and New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who won the Vezina Trophy for the first time.
Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman, and Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog won the Calder Trophy as the top rookie.
Malkin had 50 goals and 59 assists while carrying the Penguins during Sidney Crosby’s extended injury absence. He won the Hart vote over Stamkos, who scored 60 goals to win the Richard Trophy.
