Henrik Sedin wins NHL MVP award, ruining Alex Ovechkin’s bid for 3 straight Hart’s

Henrik Sedin is NHL MVP, snaps Ovechkin 3-peat bid

LAS VEGAS — Henrik Sedin wrecked Alex Ovechkin’s bid for an NHL MVP three-peat.

The Vancouver Canucks star, who had a league-best 83 assists, captured the Hart Trophy on Wednesday night during the NHL’s awards ceremony in Las Vegas. Ovechkin, the captain of the Washington Capitals, had to settle for runner-up status after taking home the prize each of the last two years.

“It’s a strange feeling,” Sedin said. “I’m very proud, so it’s a great honor.”

Sedin received 46 of 133 first-place votes, Ovechkin was second with 40, and Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby finished third with 20. Sedin had 894 total points compared with 834 for Ovechkin.

“These players are second to none,” said Sedin, who called Crosby and Ovechkin the faces of the sport.

“I mean, I thought the Hart was going to be really, really tough. I thought that was going to be out of the question,” Sedin said. “But I’m happy. I’ll take this.”

Ovechkin was honored earlier in the night by his fellow players, winning the award for top player that is presented by the NHL Players’ Association.

“Life goes on, so it’s OK,” Ovechkin said. “By the players — it’s the most important thing.”

Ovechkin would have been the first three-peat winner of the Hart since Wayne Gretzky won eight straight from 1980 to 1987.

Sedin posted a career high 112 points, 30 more than his previous best. Crosby tied for the NHL lead with 51 goals and was second with 109 points. He won the Hart in 2007.

Sedin said he never expected his name to be included among league MVPs.

“It’s all those great players and it’s me that wants to say, ‘I’m sure Alex will be on there in the next couple of years, too,’” Sedin said. “I don’t know what to say. It’s almost like I’m not really fitting there.”

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers won the Calder Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year. He beat finalists Colorado center Matt Duchene and Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard.

“I was nervous for my speech,” Myers said. “I can’t believe I’m at this point right now, and to be able to share it with family and friends was a pretty special moment for me.”

Dave Tippett of the Phoenix Coyotes won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s most outstanding coach after leading his team to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. The team set franchise records with 50 wins and 107 points. Tippett received 57 of 59 first-place votes in balloting by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association.

Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks won the Norris Trophy as hockey’s top defenseman, and Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward for the third straight year.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most well-behaved player after recording only 12 penalty minutes all season.