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Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals received the Hart Trophy for the second season in a row after he was voted the NHL's Most Valuable Player.

Ovechkin beat out fellow Russians Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit) and Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh) for the trophy by receiving 115 of 133 first-place votes in balloting conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

The Capitals left winger becomes the first repeat winner of the trophy since Buffalo Sabres goaltender Dominik Hasek in 1997 and 1998.

"Thanks for all the guys who vote for me," Ovechkin told the audience as he accepted the trophy.

"Again it's all about team, it's all about organisation and I'm glad I'm playing with a great organisation.

"I know our owners are here, guys next year I hope the Stanley Cup will be ours."

Ovechkin made several appearances at the podium, accepting the Maurice Richard Trophy as the top goalscorer (56) and a second consecutive Lester Pearson Award for the league's top player as voted by his peers.

Datsyuk won the Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward, as well as the Lady Byng for sportsmanship for the fourth consecutive year. He became the first player to sweep both awards in consecutive years.

It was also a good night for the Boston Bruins, who won awards for top coach (Claude Julien), defenseman (Zdeno Chara) and goaltender (Tim Thomas).

Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Steve Mason won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year.

Reuters