Connor Mcdavid named MVP; connor mcdavid leads Olympic all-star team

connor mcdavid was voted most valuable player and best forward of the Olympic tournament after a six-game run that produced 13 points (two goals, 11 assists). The Edmonton Oilers captain also served as Team Canada captain for the final two games in place of an injured Sidney Crosby.

Connor Mcdavid named MVP

The voting by attending media recognized McDavid's 13 points in six games, a total that broke a mark previously shared by Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu (11 each) at the 2006 Torino Games for most points at an Olympics with NHL participation. McDavid finished the NHL season with 96 points (34 goals, 62 assists) in 58 games, leading the League and putting him in contention for a sixth Art Ross Trophy and a fourth Hart Trophy.

Hellebuyck's gold-medal performance

Connor Hellebuyck delivered a 41-save performance that earned him best goaltender honors and helped Team USA capture its first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 Lake Placid Games with a 2-1 overtime win against Canada. The Winnipeg Jets goalie broke Ryan Miller's record for saves (36 at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics) in a gold medal game with NHL players.

In the final, Hellebuyck stopped McDavid on a breakaway in the second period, made a desperation stick save against Devon Toews in the opening minutes of the third, and finished the tournament 5-0-0-0 with a 1. 18 goals-against average and a. 956 save percentage. Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, is 13-16-7 with a 2. 79 GAA and a. 900 save percentage in the NHL season.

"It's a dream come true, " Hellebuyck said. "I love this group. We had so much fun over here, we grinded, we battled. This is some of the best and most fun hockey ever played. It still hasn't truthfully sunk in. Who knows how long it's going to last? It's surreal. "

Hughes' tournament impact

Quinn Hughes, voted best defenseman, had eight points (one goal, seven assists) and scored in overtime to give the U. S. a 2-1 win against Team Sweden in the quarterfinals. His eight points tied Sweden's Erik Karlsson (2014 Sochi Olympics) and Brian Rafalski of the U. S. for the most by a defenseman in a single tournament.

Quinn Hughes praised the goalkeeper's work, saying, "Hellebuyck was insane. You saw the looks they had. Canada's an insane team out there. The game's never been faster. It's never been more skilled. And they've got some special players, Hall of Famers, all over their team. "

Finals, redemption and key moments

Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils forward and Quinn's brother, scored the golden goal 1: 41 into overtime to give the U. S. redemption for a 3-2 OT loss to Canada in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 20, 2025. He and Crosby are the two players to score in OT of an Olympic gold-medal game with NHL players. "The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong, " Jack Hughes said. "We have so much support from our players. I'm so proud of the Americans today. USA Hockey, brotherhood, means so much. "

After 46 years, the Americans sit atop the hockey world once again. It all culminated with a Jack Hughes goal that ended a 46-year drought.

The U. S. won Olympic — unclear in the provided context.

Crosby's absence and Canada's reaction

Sidney Crosby, the Canadian captain and a longtime Penguins star, did not play in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics gold medal match. Crosby said, "I just didn't feel like I was able to play. I didn't think I'd be in that position after the Czech game. I think our medical staff was incredible and, unfortunately, I wasn't able to go. You saw that game, it was incredible hockey. It was a tough decision. In your head, you always want to be out there and find every way possible, but not at the expense of what needs to be done. "

Crosby said the decision was about preserving his health and what was best for the group. "It might have crossed my mind. But ultimately, it was about what's best for our group and what gives us the best chance to win. And it becomes pretty clear at that point if I'm not able to go, then I'm not going to compromise our team or put myself out of that. It might have crossed my mind, but ultimately, that's not how you make your decision, " he added. "It's just disappointment. I think for numerous reasons, it's not fun when you lose, regardless of how it happens or the outcome. I just feel for the entire group and the entire situation. "

Crosby skated with his teammates to receive the Olympics silver medal. The decision not to play was framed as an effort to preserve his own health after the Czech game, and it came despite a roster that included Macklin Celebrini, connor mcdavid, and Nick Suzuki. This may have been the final time Crosby will don the Canada maple leaf on his chest, and there is hope he recovers so that the Penguins' Stanley Cup hopes remain alive.

NHL return and standings implications

The Oilers return from the Olympic break when they visit the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. The Jets visit the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, trailing the Ducks by 11 points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference, one season after winning the Presidents' Trophy with an NHL-high 116 points. Hughes and the Minnesota Wild return to the NHL with a visit to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday holding the first wild card in the West.

All presented awards, statistics and game sequences above are drawn from the tournament coverage provided in the available context.