2021-2022 Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL MVP) Best Bets

• Nikita Kucherov (+800, BetMGM) famously missed the entire 2020-2021 regular season before returning to light up the playoffs with 32 points (8 goals, 24 assists) in 23 games en route to a Stanley Cup victory. He won this award in 2019 and will contend for it again this season.

• Fade two-time MVP Sidney Crosby (+2500, BetMGM), who put up 62 points (24 goals, 38 assists) in 55 games in last year’s regular season. He’s currently injured, which is a bad sign for him considering his past ailments.

• Also fade three-time MVP Alex Ovechkin (+3500, BetMGM), who scored 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 regular season contests in 2020-2021.

When betting on individual NHL awards, you have to consider a few things:

Statistics: eye-popping numbers must be recorded.

Team success: most of the time, the player leads a winning, playoff-bound team.

Availability and ice time: what opportunities do the players have?

History: who’s already accomplished the feat?

The Best Bet

Nikita Kucherov (+800, BetMGM) famously missed the entire 2020-2021 regular season before returning to light up the playoffs with 32 points (8 goals, 24 assists) in 23 games en route to a Stanley Cup victory. 

He won this award in 2019 and will contend for it again this season, assuming that he decides to suit up during the regular season and not take advantage of salary cap loopholes.

Fade The Stars

Two-time MVP Sidney Crosby (+2500, BetMGM) put up 62 points (24 goals, 38 assists) in 55 games in last year’s regular season, but will miss the start of the year with yet another injury. 

At this point of his career, you can’t trust him to stay healthy. 

Three-time MVP Alex Ovechkin (+3500, BetMGM) scored 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 regular season contests in 2020-2021, but is finally showing some wear and tear at 35 years old. 

He will still find the back of the net and be an above-average offensive player, but the young crop of elite talent is clearly superior to the future Hall of Famer.