The race for the 2021-22 Hart Memorial Trophy has largely been between three players for most of the current NHL campaign. That has changed in the days following the 2022 NHL All-Star Game break. The three players who were locked in the race, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals have been joined by Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers.
Before we look at the odds and break down the top contenders for the 2022 Hart Trophy, which is awarded annually to the NHL player, “adjudged to be the most valuable to his team,” check out our betting guide for all 2022 NHL Awards.
2021-22 NHL Props: Hart Trophy odds
Check out the NHL MVP odds:
| To Win 2021-22 Hart |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor McDavid | 2.71 | 3.05 | 3.00 | 3.25 |
| Alexander Ovechkin | 4.40 | 4.30 | 4.33 | 4.25 |
| Leon Draisaitl | 7.47 | 7.00 | 7.00 | 7.50 |
| Jonathan Huberdeau | 8.13 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 7.50 |
| Auston Matthews | 11.00 | 12.00 | 12.00 | 13.00 |
Can Connor McDavid win his third Hart?
Connor McDavid has fallen off the scoring pace he was on during the early days of the 2021-22 NHL season, but that’s not an enormous surprise. In January, the Oilers’ leader looked as if he was going to put up a total of 132 points, which would have made him the highest scorer in NHL history since Mario Lemieux scored 161 in 1995-96.
McDavid is currently the No. 3 player in points (60), 11th in goals (23) and fifth in assists with 37.
One thing that could hurt McDavid in the Hart Trophy voting is if the Oilers fall out of the playoff picture. The team is currently in the ninth spot in the Western Conference with 49 points in 42 games played. Edmonton has games in hand over most of the teams above them in the standings, and with that, they still have a chance to move up. The Oilers are 5-2 in their past seven games, but the Vegas Golden Knights beat them 4-0 in the first post-All-Star game outing.
Ovechkin shoots for Hart No. 4
Alexander Ovechkin has three Hart Trophies to his name. He went back-to-back in 2008 and 2009 and then claimed his third in 2013. Now, at 36, when most NHL players are slowing down and headed toward retirement, Ovechkin is making a legit case for a fourth Hart Trophy.
Despite his advancing age, Ovechkin has been one of the best players in the NHL in 2021-22. Ovechkin is fifth in points (59), fourth in goals (29), first in shots (215), first in even-strength goals (21), and tied for first in even-strength points (44). Ovechkin has 13 points more than the second-best scorer on the Capitals squad.
Ovechkin is on pace to hit the 50-goal and 100 points mark this season.
“The Great 8” has garnered a lot of attention this season for his pursuit of the all-time goal-scoring record, but that shouldn’t distract from what Ovechkin’s play has meant to the Washington Capitals franchise in 2021-22.
Jonathan Huberdeau enters the conversation
Jonathan Huberdeau is having himself a career season for the Florida Panthers. Huberdeau is an outstanding player and has long been a cornerstone of the Florida franchise, but he has never received serious consideration for the Hart Trophy. His only season showing up in the voting for the award came in 2021 when he picked up a single third-place vote and finished in 13th place for the award. The days of Huberdeau being overlooked have come to an end this season.
Huberdeau leads the NHL in scoring with 64 points (17 goals, 47 assists) and is on pace for a 112-point season. The 28-year-old has never broken the 100-point mark in his career. His best season came in 2019 when he hit 92 points.
If the Panthers can stay at or near the top of the Eastern Conference standings for the rest of the 2021-22 NHL season, expect Huberdeau to get serious consideration for the Hart Trophy.
Our Canada Sports Betting Hart Trophy pick
This year is an interesting one. There’s no doubt that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are incredible players for the Edmonton Oilers, but if they fail to lead the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, that might be held against them. Alex Ovechkin is having an incredible year and he will be a sentimental pick. Meanwhile, Jonathan Huberdeau is having the type of season players dream about and he is leading a team that is at the top of the NHL standings.
This is a tough pick, but I think the 2022 Hart Trophy is going to go to Alex Ovechkin.
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