NHL

The Race for NHL MVP So Far: See the Odds for Top Contenders ​

Connor McDavid was the early favorite to win his second straight Hart Memorial Trophy

The race for NHL MVP so far: Pastrnak among preseason favorites ​ originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

There is less than a month left in the 2021-22 NHL regular season, and the race is on for the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL’s most valuable player. 

The MVP contest is getting tighter as the season’s end approaches. Connor McDavid won it last season after putting up 105 points in just 56 games. 

Who will the MVP be this year? Here is a look at the favorites to win the honor.

Who is the favorite to win the Hart Memorial Trophy?

After winning the Hart last season, McDavid entered the 2021-22 season as the betting favorite to take it again, according to PointsBetThe reigning winner held onto the lead until recently, when Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs took over the top spot.

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Other contenders for the award include Johnny Gaudreau, Igor Skesterkin, Leon Draisaitl and Jonathan Huberdeau.

Who are the most recent winners of the Hart Memorial Trophy?

As mentioned earlier, McDavid took home the Hart last season, his second in his career. He previously won the award in 2017. 

Here’s a look at those that have recently won the Hart Memorial Trophy. 

2021: Connor McDavid

2020: Leon Draisaitl

2019: Nikita Kucherov

2018: Taylor Hall

2017: Connor McDavid

Who has won the Hart Memorial Trophy the most in NHL history?

It shouldn’t come to a surprise that The Great One tops the list with the most ever Hart Memorial Trophy wins. Wayne Greztky finished his career winning the award nine times, including eight seasons in a row spanning from 1980 to 1987.  

Gordie Howe was named MVP six times in his career and Eddie Shore won it four. Those three are the only players in NHL history to win the Hart at least four times. 

There have been five players to win the award three times -- Alex Ovechkin, Bobby Clarke, Bobby Orr, Howie Morenz and Mario Lemeiux. And 11 players have been honored with the Hart twice in their careers, including Sidney Crosby, Dominik Hasek, Guy LaFleur and Mark Messier. 

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