Lightning duo leads NHL's First All-Star Team

Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov and Vezina winner Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning are among six players voted to the NHL First All-Star Team, the league announced Friday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski, winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman, also was named along with Ted Lindsay Award winner (most outstanding player) Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Norris finalist Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson.

Kucherov, Makar and Werenski were first-team selections in 2024-25, and all six have received the honor in previous seasons.

McDavid leads active players with his sixth nods at center on the first team, tying him for second all-time with Jean Believeau, Phil Esposito and Stan Mikita. Wayne Gretzky was an eight-time first-team selection.

Kucherov, the Hart Memorial Trophy winner as most valuable player, is tops among active players with his fifth first-team selection at right wing, tied for fifth all-time. Gordie Howe has the most with 12.

Makar now has four first-team selections, second among active blueliners behind Erik Karlsson (five).

Vasilevskiy, the Vezina Trophy winner as top goaltender, tied Connor Hellebuyck among active goalies with his third selection to the first team.

Robertson also was the first-team pick at left wing in the 2022-23 season.

The NHL Second All-Star Team features four making their debut: left wing Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens, defensemen Evan Bouchard of the Oilers and Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, and goaltender Logan Thompson of the Washington Capitals.

The other selections are Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak. Both now have three appearances on the second team to go with two first-team picks.

The Professional Hockey Writers Association voted on the all-star teams as the end of the regular season.

--Field Level Media