SPORTS

Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nikita Kucherov named as Hart Trophy finalists

The Canadian Press Published Sunday, April 28, 2019 5:30PM EDT

Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) celebrates a goal against the Dallas Stars during second period NHL action in Edmonton, Alta., on Thursday March 28, 2019. McDavid is among the finalists for the Ted Lindsay award for a third straight season. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

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NEW YORK - Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby and Tampa Bay Lightning right-winger Nikita Kucherov are the finalists for the NHL's Hart Trophy.

McDavid had 116 points (45 goals, 78 assists) in 78 games this season and factored on 50.7 per cent of Edmonton's 229 goals, the highest figure of any player in the league.

The Oilers captain from Newmarket, Ont., -- 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,

McDavid, who won the Hart Trophy in the 2016-17 season, is looking to become just the second person to capture the league's MVP award multiple times before his 23rd birthday. Wayne Gretzky won the award four times before turning 23.

Crosby had 35 goals and 65 assists to reach the 100-point milestone for the sixth time as he led the Penguins to their 13th consecutive playoff berth, the longest active streak in the NHL.

The 31-year-old Cole Harbour, N.S., native is a seven-time Hart Trophy finalist, winning the award in 2007 and 2014.