NHL Hart Trophy Race Heats Up
As the NHL season progresses, the race for the prestigious Hart Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player, is heating up. Currently, four of the five players featured in The Hockey News‘ previous Hart rankings on November 13 remain strong contenders. Leading the pack is Connor McDavid, the Captain of the Edmonton Oilers, who has made a remarkable comeback into MVP discussions. Following a hat trick against the Seattle Kraken on December 4 and a total of nine points in his last five outings, McDavid’s scoring prowess has caught attention once again.
Current Contenders
Among the skilled players vying for the trophy, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar had previously been a notable name but has dropped from current rankings despite an impressive 35 points over 29 games. Makar’s teammate, Nathan MacKinnon, however, is experiencing a stellar season, making it increasingly difficult to argue for Makar as his team’s most valuable player.
The Professional Hockey Writers Association will ultimately determine the Hart Trophy recipient at the end of the regular season, but if the voting were today, here’s how the rankings stack up:
Rankings
5. Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals
Logan Thompson is emerging as arguably the top goaltender in the NHL this season. The 28-year-old has played 21 games, achieving a remarkable 1.96 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. Only Jesper Wallstedt from the Minnesota Wild has a slightly better save percentage, but he has participated in ten fewer games than Thompson. The Capitals’ goalie has excelled lately, boasting five wins against only one overtime loss in his last six games with an extraordinary .955 save percentage. In his recent matchups, he faced a heavy barrage of shots, saving 39 in a recent shutout.
BetMGM Hart Trophy Odds: 176.00/+175
4. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
Despite facing a relatively slow start by his standards, McDavid ranks third in the NHL with 42 points in 29 games. After a tough October, where he sat at 19th in scoring, he has rebounded strongly, averaging 1.65 points per game. Leading the Oilers with five more points than Leon Draisaitl and tied for the league in assists, McDavid’s performance is pivotal for the playoff aspirations of the Oilers, who currently occupy a wild-card position in the Western Conference.
BetMGM Hart Trophy Odds: 3.80/+280
3. Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks’ young star, Connor Bedard, continues to shine in his role as a forward, actively contributing to his team’s playoff chase. Currently, Chicago is only one point shy of a playoff spot, and Bedard’s dominance in scoring has been instrumental, leading the team in goals and points. His 40 points this season reflect his significant impact on the team, having a hand in almost 47% of the Blackhawks’ goals.
BetMGM Hart Trophy Odds: 21.00/+200
2. Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks
Macklin Celebrini has maintained a stellar performance this season, scoring 15 goals and totaling 43 points in 30 games, placing him second in league scoring. His contributions have also made him a leader on the San Jose Sharks, with over half of the team’s goals featuring his involvement. Celebrini not only leads in scores but is tied with McDavid for league-leading assists.
BetMGM Hart Trophy Odds: 23.00/+220
1. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche
At the forefront of the Hart Trophy race is Nathan MacKinnon, the star center for the Colorado Avalanche. With an impressive record leading the league in goals with 24 and commanding the scoring race with a total of 49 points, MacKinnon has proven to be a significant player for his team, which boasts a remarkable 21-2-6 record. Notably, MacKinnon’s plus-35 rating in plus-minus leads the NHL, underscoring his significance as a core component of his team’s success.
BetMGM Hart Trophy Odds: 1.48/-210
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