Trent Reinsmith
- Connor McDavid is the clear early favorite to win the 2022 NHL MVP
- Connor McDavid has two previous Hart Trophy wins in 2017 and 2021
- Previous Hart Trophy winners Leon Draisaitl and Alex Ovechkin among MVP favorites
A player hasn’t claimed the Hart Trophy in consecutive seasons since the Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin did so in 2008 and 2009 Chances are good that Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid could accomplish the feat as he is off to a hot start after claiming the NHL MVP award in 2021-22 with 105 points.
If McDavid falters, previous Hart Trophy winners Leon Draisaitl, also of the Oilers, and Ovechkin are in the mix to win the award as well.
Auston Matthews, who plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is looking for his first NHL MVP award, is also a player who warrants consideration.
Let’s look at the early odds to see what players are in the mix for NHL MVP for the 2021-22 NHL season and make sure to check out the best NHL betting sites and our guide to betting on the 2022 Stanley Cup.
2022 Hart Trophy Odds
The Duo In Edmonton
Last season, Connor McDavid became only the second unanimous Hart Trophy winner in the 97-year history of the award after finishing 21 points ahead of the field. McDavid is performing well this season, but not as well as his teammate, Leon Draisaitl, who won the 2020 Hart Trophy. Draisaitl was the No. 1 pick on 91 of the ballots for the NHL MVP in his winning year.
Draisaitl leads the NHL in goals with 18 and points with 35 while McDavid second in NHL scoring with 32 points and first in assists. The two are also performing well on the power play in Edmonton, with Draisaitl leading the league with nine PP goals and McDavid first with PP points (16).
Pfft… Connor McDavid (@cmcdavid97) is FAR from done.
Get a load of the 10 best from his career so far.
Don't miss the @EdmontonOilers taking on the @NHLBlackhawks at 10p ET on @Sportsnet. pic.twitter.com/FwAqK51Oub
— NHL (@NHL) November 20, 2021
I think what gives McDavid the lead in the MVP race is the fact that he is the first line center for Edmonton. Teams are largely focused on stopping him. That focus opens up time and space when Draisaitl and his second line hit the ice.
McDavid doesn’t need to lead the NHL in scoring to win the Hart for a second year in a row, but he does not to keep pace with Draisaitl.
The Oilers are 13-4 and lead the Western Conference.
Matthews Falls
Auston Matthews was among the top picks in the preseason to win the 2022 NHL MVP, but the shine has come off the Maple Leafs player. Matthews is scoring at nearly a point-per-game pace this season with 15 points (7G, 8A) in 16 games, but he is one of four players on the Leafs with 15 or 16 points. Matthews has only had one season where he has scored less than a point per game and that was his rookie year.
It’s hard to believe that Matthews won’t find his touch, but until he does so, his stock in the Hart race will continue to fall.
The Maple Leafs are second in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 12-6-1.
Ovie In The Mix
The watch is on for Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals star has a real chance to become the all-time leading goal scorer in the NHL and he started the 2021-22 campaign on a solid pace. Ovechkin has put the puck in the net 14 times this season, which puts him behind only Draisaitl. If Ovechkin can lead the league in goals and keep his team near the top of the Eastern Conference, they are No. 3 right now with a 11-2-5 record, he’ll garner some votes for the Hart Trophy. Right now Ovechkin is a longshot, but he’s a player to watch.
Office time! pic.twitter.com/Qz3BWE8pmI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 21, 2021
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