
Winnipeg Jets' Connor Hellebuyck is MVP, wins NHL's Hart, Vezina Trophy
Winnipeg Jets' Connor Hellebuyck is MVP, wins NHL's Hart, Vezina Trophy
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NHL rescue dogs, all available for adoption, compete in the 2025 Stanley Pup
32 adorable rescue puppies representing each NHL team will compete in the 2025 Stanley Pup, airing June 6 on TruTV and Sportsnet!
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck picked up a rare double when he won both the Vezina Trophy (outstanding goaltender) and the Hart Trophy, the NHL's MVP award.
It's his second consecutive Vezina and third overall, but it's just the fourth time that a goaltender has won the Hart Trophy during the league's post-1967 expansion era.
Hellebuyck, the top U.S. goalie at the 4 Nations Face-Off, led the NHL with 47 victories, tied for second most in league history, as the Jets captured the first Presidents' Trophy (top regular-season record) in franchise history. He gave up two or fewer goals in 40 of 63 appearances and led the league (minimum 25 games played) in goals-against average (2.00) and shutouts (eight). He finished second in save percentage (.925).
The most recent goalies to win the Hart Trophy were Carey Price (2014-15), Jose Theodore (2001-02) and Dominik Hasek (1996-97 and 1997-98).
Hellebuyck is the first repeat Vezina winner since Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
The other Hart finalists were the Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl and Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov.
The other Vezina finalists were the Los Angeles Kings' Darcy Kuemper and the Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Earlier in the day, Kings captain Anze Kopitar won the Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship) for the third time. He had 67 points in 81 games while having only four penalty minutes.
Other NHL awards winners
Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player): Kucherov
Jack Adams Award (coach): Spencer Carbery, Washington Capitals
Norris Trophy (defenseman): Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Calder Trophy (rookie): Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens
Selke Trophy (defensive forward): Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Masterton Trophy (perseverance): Sean Monahan, Columbus Blue Jackets
King Clancy Trophy (humanitarian contribution): Barkov
Mark Messier Leadership Award: Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
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New York Times
23 minutes ago
- New York Times
After Kreider trade, what comes next for core-shuffling Rangers? Analyzing the possible moves
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Miller trade with Vancouver — the later Canucks flipped that conditional first-rounder to the Penguins for Marcus Pettersson — or keep it and risk losing an unprotected first-rounder to division-rival Pittsburgh in 2026. Still a lot to do for the Rangers GM, who by all accounts is still aggressively working to change as much as possible and give himself the most cap flexibility ahead of the start of free agency on July 1. With Kreider's contract off the books, the Rangers have just under $15-million in cap space but only 16 skaters signed for next season, including five defensemen. That's still nowhere near enough to make the sort of changes Drury is seeking, whether that's trying to offer-sheet a young player or acquire a high-level talent. 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Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Panthers power play production could be an edge in tight Stanley Cup Final against the Oilers
Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) scores against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, left, as Oilers'. Kasperi Kapanen (42) defends during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Friday, June 13, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) scores against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, left, as Oilers'. Kasperi Kapanen (42) defends during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Friday, June 13, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates with teammates after his goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Staying out of the penalty box is a good place to start for all the players involved in the Stanley Cup Final. After talking all week about being more disciplined, the Edmonton Oilers were whistled for high-sticking a couple of times and tripping once in the first 16 minutes of Game 4 on Thursday night. Naturally, Matthew Tkachuk scored twice for Florida Panthers, and then a slashing call put the Oilers on the power play and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' goal sparked their comeback that tied the series. Advertisement 'It's a good series,' Tkachuk said. 'Special teams, both teams' power play seemed to be clicking.' 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Nugent-Hopkins scoring Thursday night could be a sign Connor McDavid and Co. are revving up against what has been a fairly effective Florida penalty kill. Coach Paul Maurice believes that task has gone 'reasonably well.' "I think they're still going to generate some action," Maurice said Friday before flying across North America. "I think the even strength chances are pretty tight through four games.' Ekholm's block Advertisement Tkachuk almost completed a hat trick in Game 4, and it could have changed the course of the entire series. With the score tied at 3-all late in the second period, he had the puck with a wide-open net to shoot at. Edmonton defenseman Mattias Ekholm got his right skate and leg in front of Tkachuk's shot just in time. 'I didn't even know that the net was empty or anything — I was just in the moment trying to get as big as possible,' Ekholm said. "It ended up hitting me. It was obviously a big block at the time. I haven't thought too much more about it. It was a block, and sometimes you need those.' Better Barkov? Advertisement Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov picked up his first two points of the series in Game 4 with assists on Tkachuk's power-play goals. He has none at even strength. Some of that could be connected to how much energy Barkov — a three-time Selke Trophy winner as the NHL's best defensive forward — is expending trying to keep McDavid's line and also Leon Draisaitl from scoring. He does not want to use that as an excuse. 'It's tough to say,' Barkov said. "You need to know, those two guys, where they are on the ice. Of course you're trying to have your head on a swivel, but I think I could be better, for sure.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and

Miami Herald
44 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Stanley Cup Final Game 5 facts and questions for Panthers vs. Oilers, tied 2-2
Saturday's Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Panthers and Edmonton Oilers could be the pivotal game of this series. Or, it could be just another turbulent classic that leaves puckheads sweating, gasping and asking 'When's Game 6?' Here's what you need to know. ▪ What's the deal: The teams will be in Edmonton's Rogers Place for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final with series tied 2-2 after the Oilers won Game 4 in overtime. TV game time is 8 p.m. on TNT, truTV, HBO Max as well as streaming outlets. ▪ What's at stake: The winner gets a 3-2 series lead in the best-of-7 series and will have the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup in Sunrise during Tuesday's Game 6. Since the 1967 expansion from the NHL's six-team era, when a Stanley Cup Final is tied 2-2, the Game 5 winner also won the series 11 of 16 times. ▪ Advice for fans: Keep the cafetera ready to make some cafe Cubano for yourself or your watch party. Three of the four games have gone into overtime, two after tying goals in the last 20 seconds of regulation. ▪ Key question for Edmonton: Will Calvin Pickard start in goal after Stuart Skinner got yanked in Games 3 and 4? In both cases, Skinner didn't play badly. In fact, he did well to not give up more goals while the Oilers, by their own admission, flat stunk in front of him. But, Pickard's 7-0 in these playoffs with a better goals against average (2.69) and save percentage (.896) compared to Skinner (2.99, .891) and only lost his job to injury in the second round. ▪ Key question for the Panthers: Did blowing a 3-0 lead and losing Game 4 in overtime shake the psychological equilibrium that's allowed them to surf successfully the wins and wipeouts over the last three years of NHL playoffs and make three Stanley Cup Finals. ▪ Key question for both teams: Can they keep up this series' breathless pace after a a 2,500-mile flight sucks up the lone off day before Game 5? Both coaches, who have been in Stanley Cup Finals before and in hockey their whole lives, remarked on the pace, physicality, the quality of hockey from board battles to open ice skill plays. 'I think [experience and conditioning] all those play a factor, but there's an excitement for both teams that will build as you get toward the end. It's a grinder,' Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. 'So, you actually find more energy toward the end of a series because there's not another one after this.'