Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn used a late-season charge to win his first Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer with 87 points, edging New York Islanders forward John Tavares by one point in the final seconds of the Stars' 4-1 win against the Nashville Predators on Saturday.
Benn had a hat trick and an assist. It was a career high in points for Benn, who had 79 last season.
Benn scored his third goal with 2:05 remaining with an empty net. That tied him with Tavares (86 points). Had the two remained tied, Tavares would have won the Art Ross Trophy because he scored more goals (38 to 35).
With less than 10 seconds left, Benn assisted on defenseman Trevor Daley's goal to clinch the title.
Tavares had two points in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
"My teammates gave a lot tonight and held the ice the last couple months and the whole year to get to the top, the scoring lead," Benn said. "I've got to thank them."
It was the closest scoring race since Jaromir Jagr of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Eric Lindros of the Philadelphia Flyers each had 70 points in the shortened 1994-95 season which Jagr won because he had more goals.
Tavares, who set career highs in goals (38) and points (86) entered play Saturday tied with Penguins forward Sidney Crosby for the points lead with 84. Crosby was scoreless in a 2-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres and finished third.
Benn had three or more points in four of his past five games, and 12 goals and 23 points in 22 games.
Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin, who scored his League-leading 53rd goal in a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, finished tied for fourth with 81 points.
Flyers forward Jakub Voracek was scoreless Saturday and finished with 81 points.
Benn's center, Tyler Seguin, was scratched after arriving late to practice Friday. Seguin had 77 points in 71 games.
"He's a big part of the success that I've had," Benn said. "Obviously we have great chemistry out there. He's a heck of a hockey player. I've got to tip my hat to him too. He's been a big part of this process."
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