Avalanche's MacKinnon captures Hart and Lindsay awards as league's top player

Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon was the big winner at Thursday's NHL awards show, taking home the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP and the Ted Lindsay Award as the league's most outstanding player as decided by the NHL Players Association.

Three other major awards where handed out earlier Thursday.

Chicago centre Connor Bedard was selected as the league's top rookie, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets won the Vezina Trophy as the top goalie, and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks was named winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the top defenceman.

MacKinnon had a career-high 140 points this season to win both awards for the first time. He opened the season with a 35-game point streak at home, second all-time only to Wayne Gretzky.

Legendary season from the MVP. Congratulations, Nate. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoAvsGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoAvsGo</a> <a href="https://t.co/CY4jiAfng7">pic.twitter.com/CY4jiAfng7</a>

MacKinnon finished the season with 54 goals and 89 assists.

Bedard, one of the most-hyped prospects in recent years, was last year's No. 1 overall draft pick by Chicago and led all rookies with 61 points. He also was first with 22 goals and his 39 assists tied for the lead as well.

Brock Faber of the Minnesota Wild and Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils were the other contenders.

Hellebuyck, who also won the Vezina in 2020, allowed 2.39 goals were per game, had a .921 save percentage and recorded five shutouts. Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers and Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks were the other finalists.

Hughes, won the Norris Trophy for the first time, led all defenceman with 92 points and 75 assists.