Kucherov Edges Mcdavid in Tight MVP Race, Fans React

WHO:

Sportskeeda - Nikita Kucherov, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini, Nick Suzuki

Yahoo Sports - Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL

WHAT:

Yahoo Sports - Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's MVP, for the 2025-26 season.

Yahoo Sports - Kucherov received 1,436 points and 72 first-place votes, while McDavid received 1,426 points and 68 first-place votes.

Yahoo Sports - Nathan MacKinnon finished third with 1,297 points and 52 first-place votes.

Yahoo Sports - This was the closest vote for the Hart Trophy in 24 years.

Yahoo Sports - Kucherov previously won the Hart Trophy in the 2018-19 season.

Yahoo Sports - Kucherov scored 44 goals and provided 86 assists during the season.

Yahoo Sports - The Tampa Bay Lightning had a record of 50-26-6 during the season.

Yahoo Sports - Kucherov had one goal and five assists in the first-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, where the Lightning lost in seven games.

WHERE:

Yahoo Sports - The Tampa Bay Lightning is based in Tampa, Florida.

WHEN:

Yahoo Sports - The Hart Memorial Trophy was awarded on a Thursday.

Yahoo Sports - The Lightning lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs.

WHY:

Yahoo Sports - Kucherov's performance during the season contributed to his winning the MVP award.

HOW:

Yahoo Sports - The voting system for the Hart Trophy allowed three players to receive at least a quarter of all first-place votes for the first time in its 30-year history.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 04:28 UTC)

Nikita Kucherov has been awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's MVP for the 2025-26 season, marking the closest vote for the trophy in 24 years, with Kucherov receiving 1,436 points and 72 first-place votes, narrowly beating Connor McDavid, who garnered 1,426 points and 68 first-place votes. Kucherov, who previously won the Hart Trophy in the 2018-19 season, had an impressive season with 44 goals and 86 assists, contributing to the Tampa Bay Lightning's record of 50 wins, 26 losses, and 6 overtime losses, although they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Montreal Canadiens. This year’s voting system allowed three players to receive at least a quarter of all first-place votes for the first time in its 30-year history, highlighting the competitive nature of the race for the prestigious award.