NHL Hart Trophy Betting Trends: Draisaitl, Matthews & Hellebuyck Popular Plays
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
The Hart Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), and this year’s race has been as competitive as ever. Leon Draisaitl is leading the odds, and Auston Matthews is pulling in the most betting tickets after winning last season’s goal-scoring race. The debate over who deserves the league’s top individual honor continues to heat up.
As we analyze betting trends from BetMGM Sportsbook, we’ll break down the top contenders, their stats, and where they stand in the league’s leaderboards to provide a clearer picture of the current MVP landscape.
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1️⃣ Leon Draisaitl – The Odds Leader (-160)
- Betting Trends: Highest Handle% (20.2%), Odds Leader
- Season Stats: 43 goals, 44 assists, 87 points, +25 rating, 25 power-play points, 195 shots on goal
- League Rankings:
- 1st in Points (87)
- 9th in Power-Play Points (25)
- 1st in Goals (43)
Leon Draisaitl has been a dominant offensive force for the Edmonton Oilers, helping drive one of the league’s most dangerous power-play units. His playmaking ability, elite finishing, and two-way impact make him the front-runner for the Hart Trophy.
With Edmonton surging in the standings, Draisaitl’s case strengthens by the game. If he continues his elite play, it’s hard to imagine anyone overtaking him for the award.
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2️⃣ Auston Matthews – The Fan Favorite (20.1% Ticket%)
- Betting Trends: Highest Ticket% (20.1%), Key Liability for Sportsbooks
- Season Stats: 21 goals, 27 assists, 48 points, +4 rating, 14 power-play points, 171 shots on goal
- League Rankings:
- Top 10 in Goals Per Game (0.49)
Auston Matthews remains one of the purest goal-scorers in the NHL, fitting with the top ten in the league in goals per game (0.49) and carrying the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ offense. His ability to change games with his elite shot and playmaking ability put him in the Hart Trophy conversation before injuries limited him to just 43 games this season. After opening at +1000, Matthews has slipped to +40000.
3️⃣ Connor Hellebuyck – The Goaltender Dark Horse
- Betting Trends: Biggest Liability, +250 Odds. 17.2% of Handle
- Season Stats: 35 wins, seven losses, two overtime losses, 2.04 GAA, .925 SV%, six shutouts
- League Rankings:
- 1st in Wins (35)
- 1st in GAA (2.04)
- 1st in Save Percentage (.925)
Connor Hellebuyck has been a brick wall for the Winnipeg Jets, keeping them at the top of the NHL standings. Despite the Hart Trophy traditionally favoring forwards, Hellebuyck’s incredible numbers and game-stealing performances have made him a legitimate contender.
He could become the first goalie since Carey Price (2015) to win the Hart Trophy if he maintains this pace. Hellebuyck’s a lock to win the Vezina at -5000.
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4️⃣ Nathan MacKinnon – The Consistency Machine
- Betting Trends: +300 Odds, 8.0% of Tickets
- Season Stats: 87 points, 66 assists, 59 games played, +18 rating
- League Rankings:
- 1st in Points (87)
- 2nd in Even-Strength Points (61)
- 1st in Assists (66)
Nathan MacKinnon has been the driving force behind the Colorado Avalanche, putting up elite numbers while elevating his teammates. His blend of speed, skill, and leadership keeps him in the Hart conversation every year.
With Colorado making a push in the West, MacKinnon remains a strong betting option for those looking for value beyond Draisaitl and Matthews.
5️⃣ Nikita Kucherov – The Tampa Bay Sniper
- Betting Trends: +2500 Odds. 7.7% of Tickets
- Season Stats: 54 games, 85 points, 57 assists, +14 rating
- League Rankings:
- 2nd in Assists (59)
- 1st in Points Per Game (0.63)
- 1st in PPA (29)
Nikita Kucherov has quietly dominated for the Tampa Bay Lightning, continuing to rack up points at an elite pace. His vision and playmaking ability make him one of the most dangerous offensive players in the NHL.
If Tampa Bay climbs in the standings, Kucherov could gain momentum in the MVP race.
🏆 Who’s the Best Bet?
With Draisaitl leading the odds (-160), he remains the safest pick for bettors. However, Matthews (highest ticket%) and Hellebuyck (elite goaltending stats) offer value plays for those looking for better returns.
- Best Bet: Leon Draisaitl (-160) – The most well-rounded MVP candidate leading the Oilers’ playoff push.
- Value Pick: Nikita Kucherov (+2500) – If he continues his points pace and leads Tampa to an Atlantic Division crown, he can challenge Draisaitl.
- Dark Horse: Connor Hellebuyck – He could make history if he carries Winnipeg to the Presidents’ Trophy.
With several weeks left in the season, this race is far from over. Stay tuned for more NHL betting updates as the Hart Trophy battle continues to unfold! 🚨🏒
