Connor McDavid wins Art Ross Trophy, Auston Matthews wins Rocket Richard Trophy

Credit: Dan Hamilton

Mar 29, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (24) battle for position in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Two trophy awards became official with the NHL’s regular-season officially wrapping up Wednesday.

Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid officially won the Art Ross Trophy and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews officially won the Rocket Richard Trophy.

For McDavid, it marked the third Art Ross trophy of his career putting him in elite company. He became only the third player in the NHL to win the trophy three times before his 25th birthday joining only Wayne Gretzky (five times) and Gordie Howe (three times).

The Oilers captain scored 105 points in the regular season this year and had 21 points ahead of his next closest competitor, teammate Leon Draisaitl. That gap is the largest since 1990-91 when Gretzky (41-122—163 in 78 GP w/ LA) finished with 32 points ahead of Brett Hull (86-45—131 in 78 GP w/ STL).

Matthews, meanwhile, wins the first Rocket Richard Trophy of his career after scoring 41 goals in 52 games. He finished eight goals ahead of his next closest competitor, Connor McDavid. First awarded in 1998-99, Matthews is the first Maple Leafs to win the award.

Not only that, he’s the first player from Toronto in 75 years to top the league in goals. The last was Gaye Stewart, who scored 37 goals in 50 games in 1945-46.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.