The NHL regular season is coming down the stretch drive, and the race for Hart Trophy is down to four players.
But given the players being considered, and the potential for any to separate himself over the final month, there’s still ample time to cash in on a Hart Trophy bet.
Here are the odds for the Hart Trophy.
NHL MVP Hart Trophy Odds 2024
We at The Game Day always track the latest NHL odds for the Hart Trophy:
For my betting tips, I’m using these NHL MVP lines that are current as of Wednesday, March 6, from bet365 Sportsbook.
- Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche (+180)
- Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs (+200)
- Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning (+300)
- Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers (+375)
- Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets (+5000)
- David Pastrňák, RW, Boston Bruins (+5000)
- Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks (+5000)
Ironically, Connor McDavid started the season at -105 to win the Hart, yet his chances of winning are fading despite the fact the Oilers are the favorite to win both the Western Conference and Stanley Cup.
McDavid’s odds lengthening has much to do with Auston Matthews’ pursuit of 70 goals and Nathan MacKinnon’s stunning run for the Avalanche.
2024 NHL MVP Best Bet
Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche (+180)
With all due respect to Matthews, McDavid and Kucherov, MacKinnon is the pick in part due to the psychology of Hart Trophy voters.
Those of a certain age might recall the plight of Susan Lucci, the longtime soap opera star who finally won an Emmy Award on her 19th nomination. MacKinnon is hockey’s version of that since he is a three-time Hart finalist and two-time runner-up, and there will be the perception he’s due to win the award.
Plus, MacKinnon is having an otherworldly year. He’s shot near the top of the NHL points list and had the Avs atop the Central Division as the season hits the stretch drive.
Thus, I’m betting that 2024 is the year MacKinnon finally takes home the hardware.
2024 Hart Trophy Favorites
Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs (+200)
We had Matthews as a sleeper pick around the All-Star Break, and he’s shot near the top of the Hart Trophy odds.
Matthews won the Hart in 2022 when he scored 60 goals, and he was the first NHL player to surpass 50 goals in 2023-24. He’ll also get the added benefit of playing in Toronto, where the most influential media members hail from and could carry Matthews to the award again.
If Matthews can somehow get to 70 goals, which he’s on pace to do, it’ll be hard to argue he shouldn’t win the award.
Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning (+300)
Kucherov is carrying the Lightning offensively this season, as usual. The MVP led the NHL in points as of the All-Star break and should get an added boost by keeping Tampa Bay in the playoff race despite goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy’s early-season injury.
Kucherov needed to put up 128 points to win the award the first time, and he is actually on pace to smash that mark this season. But the fact MacKinnon is keeping pace with him, and Colorado is far ahead of Tampa Bay in the standings, could damage Kucherov’s candidacy.
Still, if Kucherov continues his points pace, the Lightning wing has a great chance of winning the award again.
2024 Hart Trophy Sleepers
Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers (+375)
If you’ve been waiting for McDavid’s odds to lengthen, you’re in luck. But there’s real doubt whether he can win the award at this point.
McDavid’s candidacy is in real trouble, mainly due to voter fatigue and the fact he is only in the top-5 in points this season instead of leading the NHL. Plus, his odds lengthened while Edmonton posted a franchise-record 16-game win streak, which doesn’t bode well either.
Still, there’s always a chance McDavid will go into Superman mode and steal the award.
