2019 Art Ross Trophy Odds: Kucherov Now Listed at -1000; Value in Anyone Else?

• Scoring leader Nikita Kucherov heavy favorite in Art Ross race
• Patrick Kane, Connor McDavid within striking distance
• Is there value in betting anyone other than Kucherov?

With a 10-point lead and 17 games remaining on the Tampa Bay Lightning schedule, it seems all but written in stone that Nikita Kurcherov is going to take home the 2019 Art Ross Trophy.

In addition to his 30 goals, he also leads the league in assists by a landslide with 74. Not coincidentally, he’s also a front-runner in our latest Hart Trophy odds as well.

Now let’s take a look at his odds to win the Art Ross.

Odds to Win NHL’s 2019 Art Ross Trophy

*Odds taken 3/1

Barring injury, Patrick Kane and Connor McDavid still each have a game in-hand on Kucherov in the race for the Ross. So, while we could get some fireworks before it’s all said and done, who are we kidding here? Kuch’s lead is pretty safe when it comes right down to it.

Another thing to keep in mind is hockey is not like football. Teams don’t generally rest their stars for multiple games, shifts, or weeks.

Expect each player to go hard to the finish, including the current point steed.

Sizing Up Kane and McDavid Odds

If Kucherov goes down with an injury before the postseason, you’ve got a pretty good shot.

Working on that assumption, Patrick Kane seems to be the more likely candidate of the two. With a seven-point cushion on McDavid, the ‘Hawks winger has been red hot of late too, posting seven points in his last five games.

? Patrick Kane for MVP | We support this message ? pic.twitter.com/pMMF8n2x77

— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) February 28, 2019

Kane is also just four goals back of Alex Ovechkin, so we can expect the rest of the Hawks – who are playing for nothing at this point – to be trying to find the blade of his stick night in and night out. At +500, the best bet value falls on number 88, even though the likelihood is still low.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about McDavid’s chances as a long shot wager.

The man plays for Edmonton and is currently trailing Kuch by 17 points. The talented Oiler could cut into the deficit, but again, he plays for Edmonton. Let’s not get crazy.

What’s the Right Bet to Make?

You would’ve been wise to put some money down on Kucherov a little earlier in the season – or even as recently as one month ago.

After paying +1000 for most of the year, Kucherov jumped all the way to -120 when he took over as the scoring king in early February. At -500, however, you’re really not going to see too much of a return on the Russian.

Remember. This. Name.

Nikita Kucherov is the first player in #Bolts franchise history to record multiple 100-point seasons (and he did it back-to-back).

It’s game 62. ? #Klutcherov pic.twitter.com/2AhdN86jiv

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 22, 2019

Stranger things have happened, but with so few games remaining and the Lightning having won 10 of their last 11, Kuch taking home the Art Ross is almost a prophecy.

It’d be a tremendous award for a guy that’s only ever added to his annual point totals since entering the league in 2013. No to mention hitting the century mark in back-to-back seasons.