Updated 2020 Hart Trophy Odds Show Three-Way Race Between McDavid, MacKinnon, Pastrnak

• Connor McDavid, the frontrunner, won the Hart Trophy in 2016-17 while David Pastrnak and Nathan MacKinnon have never won
• Leon Draisaitl, who is somehow outside the top-10 in Hart Trophy odds, leads the league with 83 points
• It’s been more than 30 years since a player on a non-playoff team won the Hart Trophy

As the NHL season reaches its final two months, the top-heavy Hart Trophy race appears to essentially be a three-headed monster of forwards: Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon and Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak.

Others will try to catch them, but time is running out. And now, it’s time to decide who makes for the best bet.

Here’s a look at the 2020 Hart Trophy odds:

Odds taken Feb. 4

Amazingly, McDavid’s stellar teammate in Edmonton, Leon Draisaitl, isn’t listed despite leading the NHL with 83 points. So for now, it’s a three-horse race. Let’s take a closer look.

Current Comparison

Here’s how the three frontrunners stack up, statistically: McDavid has 29 goals and 79 points in 52 games; MacKinnon has 30 goals and 72 points in 50 games; and Pastrnak has 38 goals and 75 points in 53 games.

Any goal Connor McDavid (@cmcdavid97) scores is just flawless. pic.twitter.com/RnlkekPQHi

— NHL (@NHL) February 2, 2020

What sticks out? McDavid has the most points (second in the NHL only behind Draisaitl), while Pastrnak has the most goals (he leads the NHL in this category, with Ovechkin right behind at 37).

MacKinnon has the fewest points in the fewest games, but he also has taken more shots and fewer penalties than his competitors.

Supporting Casts

Here’s where MacKinnon probably has his best argument.

Pastrnak plays on a line with Marchand (+800 odds to win the Hart), while McDavid is on the same team as the aforementioned Draisaitl (they’ve played on the same line this season but aren’t doing so right now).

The Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak line continues to torment Buffalo.

Pastrnak's 29th goal of the season gives Boston a 1-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/MYsm5q3ucD

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) December 30, 2019

Pastrnak only has seven more points than Marchand, while McDavid actually has four fewer points than Draisaitl.

MacKinnon, meanwhile, doesn’t have any teammates that are nearly that noteworthy. Due to some early-season injuries for the Avalanche, MacKinnon has had to shoulder the load scoring-wise. He has 35 points more than the next highest scorer, which is rookie defenseman Cale Makar.

Nathan MacKinnon wins it in OT. Ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/tZq3dx6Fju

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) November 17, 2019

Each of past five skaters to win Hart Trophy finished more than 20 points clear of the second-highest scorer on their respective team. So that’s a big plus for MacKinnon.

No Playoffs, Big Problem

In the Hart voting, playoffs are important. Whether or not team results should factor into an individual award is a debate for another time — but the fact is, it means something in this case.

The last player to win the Hart on a non-playoff team was Mario Lemieux, back in 1987-88.

There’s no evidence it will happen again. In a race this tight, if one of these players misses the playoffs (or, somehow, if only one makes the playoffs), that would be bear weight.

NHL standings projections and playoff chances as of January 30, updated daily at @TheAthleticNHL https://t.co/dLw6xRNAeM pic.twitter.com/OgBve9D9wa

— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) January 30, 2020

Right now, Boston, Edmonton and Colorado are all in playoff position. Boston is essentially a lock for the postseason, but the other two — especially Edmonton — are on thinner ice.

Decision Time

Assuming all three players reach the playoffs with their respective teams, this award sort of looks like MacKinnon’s to lose. Yes, he has the fewest points of the three, but four of the NHL’s past nine scoring leaders failed to win the Hart — so does that really matter?

Stop us if you’ve heard this before…

NATHAN MACKINNON IN OT, BABY!#GoAvsGo https://t.co/Dte1msDyHm

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 19, 2019

MacKinnon has stood out on a team that has offered limited support. Fair or not, McDavid and Pastrnak have better supporting casts that will likely hinder their chances that this award.

Pick: Nathan MacKinnon, +200