Breaking down the 2025 NHL MVP finalists: Hart and Ted Lindsay award predictions

The NHL’s regular season may be over, but the debate over who truly stood out as the league’s top performer is just heating up. With the finalists named for the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award, fans and experts alike are weighing stats, leadership, and game-breaking moments. Only one player — Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov — finds himself in the running for both awards, while a goaltending giant, a dominant defenseman, and two offensive juggernauts round out the field.So, who will claim hockey’s most coveted individual honors?Let’s start in the blue paint. Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck was a brick wall in net, backstopping his team to a league-best 56 wins — 47 of which were his. Not only did he top the NHL in wins, goals-against average, and shutouts, but he also finished second in save percentage and time on ice, playing every minute of his 62 starts. A performance like that is hard to ignore, and it’s why he’s getting rare Hart Trophy buzz for a goaltender.Meanwhile, Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl led the league in goals with 52 and was tied for third in total points (106). His sharpshooting was lethal, with a 21.7% shooting percentage — the best among top scorers. He also tallied 11 game-winning goals, tied for the league lead, and finished +32 in plus/minus.Then there’s Kucherov, who lit up the league with a whopping 121 points and 84 assists. His 2.90 points per 60 minutes ranked third in the NHL, and his impact on Tampa Bay’s offense helped them lock up second in the Atlantic Division. Kucherov’s blend of playmaking and production earned him recognition from both the writers and his fellow players.On the Ted Lindsay side, Nathan MacKinnon’s 116-point campaign and joint league lead in assists earned him the nod from his peers — even if writers left him out of the Hart top three. His teammate, Cale Makar, may have stolen some of that spotlight. The elite defenceman had a stellar season, posting 1.73 points per 60 (tops among blueliners) and a +28 rating, converting over 12% of his shots — an astonishing clip from the back end.With voting done before the playoffs, it’s all about regular-season impact. Kucherov’s offensive dominance makes him the front-runner for the Lindsay, while Hellebuyck’s goaltending masterclass could tip the Hart in his favor — especially if voters value value over flash. Still, don’t count out Draisaitl’s goal-scoring heroics or the all-around brilliance of Makar and MacKinnon.Who will emerge victorious? We’ll find out after the Stanley Cup is lifted. But one thing is certain: each finalist gave us a season to remember.Also Read: Alex Pietrangelo’s health a key concern as Vegas Golden Knights prepare for Edmonton Oilers