Every year around this time, hockey fans enjoy the thrill of the Stanley Cup final. But it’s also a special moment to honour the best NHL players of the season with awards. The focus is mostly on regular-season performance, but many finalists this year also played big roles in the playoffs.
Two of the most awaited honours are the Hart Trophy (for the most valuable player) and the Vezina Trophy (for the best goaltender). The winners will be announced during the NHL’s one-hour awards show, which airs at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Let’s take a closer look at the finalists and how their playoff performance might have made a difference.
Leon Draisaitl – Edmonton Oilers – Hart Trophy Finalist
Draisaitl had a powerful season with the Edmonton Oilers. Even though he missed some games due to injury, he led the league with 52 goals and was third in total points with 106. He also had 11 game-winning goals and a strong 54.4% faceoff win rate.
His playoff run this year was even more impressive. He stayed healthy and played all 19 games, scoring 10 goals and making 19 assists. He played a key role in helping the Oilers win three playoff rounds. Clearly, Draisaitl showed he is one of the most important players for his team.
Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay Lightning – Hart Trophy Finalist
Kucherov has been in the playoffs for 11 of his 12 NHL seasons, and he’s still going strong at age 31. In 78 regular-season games, he led the NHL in assists (84), total points (121), and power-play points (46). He also had 9 game-winning goals.
Even though the Lightning didn’t go far in the playoffs, Kucherov made an impact with 4 points in 5 games. His best performance came in Game 3 against the Panthers, where he got 3 assists in their only win. While his playoff time was short, his regular-season stats show he’s still a top player.
Connor Hellebuyck – Winnipeg Jets – Hart & Vezina Trophy Finalist
Hellebuyck had one of the best seasons of his career, leading the league with 47 wins, 8 shutouts, and a low 2.00 goals-against average. He helped the Jets win the Presidents’ Trophy and the William M. Jennings Trophy. He also had a strong 0.925 save percentage in the regular season.
This performance earned him spots as both a Hart and Vezina finalist. However, the playoffs told a different story. In 13 games, he had 2 shutouts but gave up more goals than expected, with a 3.08 GAA and .866 save percentage. The Jets were eliminated in the second round, which raised questions about his playoff pressure handling.
Darcy Kuemper – Los Angeles Kings – Vezina Trophy Finalist
At 35, Kuemper became a Vezina finalist for the first time. After rejoining the Kings in 2024, he played 50 games and posted great stats: 2.02 GAA, .922 save percentage, and 5 shutouts.
Kuemper helped the Kings finish second in the Pacific Division. But in the playoffs, they lost to the Oilers in six games. His performance dipped, ending with a 3.74 GAA and .889 save percentage. Still, his strong regular-season numbers can’t be ignored.
Andrei Vasilevskiy – Tampa Bay Lightning – Vezina Trophy Finalist
Vasilevskiy, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, had another solid year. In 63 regular-season games, he had 38 wins, a 2.18 GAA, .921 save percentage, and 6 shutouts. He also played the most minutes and faced the second-most shots among all goalies.
Though Tampa exited early from the playoffs, his season stats prove why he’s one of the best. Even with a 3.27 GAA and .872 save percentage in the playoffs, Vasilevskiy remains a top contender for the Vezina.
While regular-season stats decide the NHL awards, many fans still look at playoff performance to judge players. Draisaitl’s strong playoff run boosts his Hart chances, while Hellebuyck’s playoff struggle might hurt his Vezina hopes. Kucherov and Vasilevskiy continue to shine, even with early exits, and Kuemper’s comeback story is one to watch.
These awards honour skill, consistency, and leadership. Whether or not playoff success affects the outcome, each finalist has proven they are among the NHL’s finest this season.
