No contest: Auston Matthews wins 2022 Hart Trophy

It was a season to remember for Toronto Maple Leafs superstar forward Auston Matthews, who now holding the title of greatest regular season scorer in Leafs history, having passed Rick Vaive in the franchise record books. Meanwhile, Ovechkin now only trails Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe for most goals all-time, and many believe he has a legitimate shot to overtake them. 

And with 60 goals on the year, he was an easy choice to be voted the National Hockey League's most valuable player. 

In doing so, he becomes the first Leafs player in 67 years and 3rd overall in franchise history to take home the award. And the voting wasn't even close, as he beat out Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (who took home the Vezina as the NHL's best between the pipes).  

Matthews' 0.82 goals per game in 2021-22 is the highest clip in the salary-cap era, and also happens to be the highest since the legendary Mario Lemieux's 0.99 goals per game in 1995-96. 

Oh, and the Hart wasn't the only award that Matthews took home tonight. He was also named the winner of the Ted Lindsay Award, which goes to the league's most outstanding player as voted by his peers.