The NHL season is pushing towards the playoffs and that means the awards races will start heating up, including for the Hart Memorial Trophy, better known as the NHL MVP award. While some other players could push into the competition as the season winds down, right now it looks to be a race between Patrick Kane, Braden Holtby, Jamie Benn, Erik Karlsson and Alex Ovechkin.
Stats will play a big part in who wins the award this year, but so will team standings in the divisional races. Kane is leading the league in scoring this season overall with 85 points, while Benn is second with 70. Holtby has been the most consistent goalie in the league and is leading the NHL in wins, while Karlsson and Ovechkin have also been very impressive for their teams.
Holtby and Ovechkin have the Washington Capitals currently leading the overall NHL standings, and if the Capitals end up as the top seed in the playoffs, expect both players to get some votes. The Blackhawks and the Stars are battling for the top spot in the Western Conference, and that puts Kane and Benn in the spotlight for their respective teams. The gambling company Bovada has odds for the awards, putting Kane first ahead of Holtby, Karlsson and Benn.
Here is a look at the top candidates for the award this season:
Patrick Kane, Blackhawks
Kane is currently the favorite for the award for his impressive play throughout the season for Chicago. Kane is leading the NHL in scoring with 85 points, and he is second in the league in goals behind Ovechkin with 36 on the season. Kane has also contributed 49 assists this year and has a strong plus/minus rating at 21 for the Blackhawks. The team is coming off of a Stanley Cup win and they are currently first in the Western Conference with 83 points, tied with the Dallas Stars in the Central Division.
Braden Holtby, Capitals
Holtby has had a stellar season for the Capitals and is leading the league in wins with 39, which is six better than the second-place goalie. Holtby has a 39-7-3 record this year, including the fewest losses among starting goalies. Holtby is also ranked in the top 10 in the league in goals against average and save percentage. The Capitals currently have a huge lead in the Eastern Conference with a 45-12-4 record for 94 points, putting them 14 ahead of the Rangers.
Jamie Benn, Stars
Benn has also been very impressive this season, but Kane and Holtby may have that little extra that puts them into the top two for the award. Benn is second in the NHL with 70 points, including 32 goals and 38 assists. Benn is ranked third in the league in goals scored and has helped his team to a 38-19-7 record. The Stars are currently tied with the Blackhawks with 83 points to lead the Western Conference.
