MacKinnon leads NHLPA Ted Lindsay Award nominations.

On Wednesday, Auston Matthews (26), Nathan MacKinnon (28), and Nikita Kucherov (30) emerged as the finalists for the prestigious Ted Lindsay Award, bestowed annually upon the NHL’s most outstanding player. Voted on by their peers within the NHL Players’ Association, the award recognizes exceptional talent and contributions to the sport.

Matthews, the recipient of the trophy in the previous season, showcased his prowess by leading the NHL with an impressive 69 goals and tallying a career-best 107 points across 81 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. His remarkable achievement included becoming one of just ten players in NHL history to record six or more hat tricks in a single season.

Meanwhile, MacKinnon, yet to claim the Ted Lindsay Award, made a formidable case for himself with a stellar performance for the Colorado Avalanche. Finishing second in the league with an impressive 140 points (51 goals, 89 assists) in 82 games, MacKinnon showcased his offensive prowess throughout the season. Notably, he commenced the campaign with an extraordinary 35-game points streak at home and led the NHL in shots on goal, registering an impressive 405 shots.

Hockey live scores, Schedule, and Results.

As voted on by the players, your 2023-24 #TedLindsayAward finalists are @86Kucherov, @mackinnon9 and @AM34.

These three players were deemed the most outstanding by their peers: https://t.co/f5lGJK7PBV #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/2g8F1ICVKW
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) May 8, 2024

On the other hand, Kucherov, a former recipient of the award in the 2018-19 season, once again made his mark as a top contender. Setting a Tampa Bay franchise record, Kucherov led the league with an impressive 144 points (44 goals, 100 assists) across 81 games for the Lightning. His dominance extended to the powerplay, where he topped the league with an impressive 53 points, further solidifying his status as one of the NHL’s elite forwards.

As the finalists vie for the prestigious honor, each brings a unique set of skills and accomplishments to the table. While Matthews seeks to defend his title, MacKinnon aims to secure his first Ted Lindsay Award victory. With Kucherov posing a formidable challenge, the race promises to be closely contested, highlighting the exceptional talent and competitiveness within the NHL.