Hedman wins Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman claimed the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs following his club's title-clinching victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night.

In one of the closest Conn Smythe races ever, Hedman edged out teammate Brayden Point by a margin of 70 points to 66 among the 18 voting members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Hedman received nine first-place votes, eight second-place nods, and one third-place vote. Point earned eight first-place nods, eight for second, and two for third. Nikita Kucherov placed third in the voting, garnering a lone first-place vote, two second-place nods, and 14 third-place votes.

Hedman led all blue-liners with 10 playoff goals and ranked fifth among all skaters with 22 postseason points.

The 29-year-old entered Game 6 leading all skaters still competing in postseason ice time, averaging over 26 minutes per contest.

Hedman scored seven of his 10 markers at even strength, and three of his goals were game-winners.

The imposing rearguard was a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman in 2019-20 after racking up 55 points in 66 regular-season games while averaging 24:04 in ice time. He won that award in 2018.