New Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall has won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player.

Hall beat out Los Angeles captain Anze Kopitar and Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon in a contest between three first-time finalists for the award.

Hall finished sixth in the league with 93 points for the Devils. He is the first New Jersey player to win the MVP award.

Hall, the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft, likely got the nod over two worthy contenders because of the way he carried the Devils offensively while they reached the playoffs for the first time in five years.

He scored 41 more points than rookie Nico Hischier, the Devils' second-leading scorer.

Also Wednesday night, the Devils’ Brian Boylehe was awarded the Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication to hockey.

The 33-year-old Boyle was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia during training camp, but he made it back into the Devils' lineup in November and eventually represented New Jersey at the All-Star game after teammate Taylor Hall couldn't go because of injury.

Boyle put together an outstanding season even while his 2-year-old son, Declan, also had significant health problems.