On Tuesday, the final five NHL awards are being handed out. Third on the docket was the Ted Lindsay Award, given to the player voted as the most outstanding in the league by the players. This year’s recipient is Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews. The other finalists were Oilers center Connor McDavid and Predators defenseman Roman Josi.
The 24-year-old led the league in goals scored for the second straight season, hitting the 60-goal mark for the first time in his career despite missing nine games due to injury or suspension, becoming the first player to hit that mark since Steven Stamkos did it back in 2011-12. Matthews set a new league record for the most goals scored by an American-born player, besting Jimmy Carson’s mark of 55 back in 1987-88. Between November 24th and April 9th, Matthews scored 51 times in just 50 games. That helped lead Toronto to a 115-point season, the most points in franchise history.
Matthews, who was a finalist for the award last season, is the fourth different winner of this award in as many years. The last time that happened was between 2009-10 and 2012-13. Unlike the other awards being revealed on Tuesday, no voting breakdown was released. He is the first Maple Leaf to win the award.