David Pastrnak Hart Trophy Betting Odds Update

The NHL regular season is into January, and David Pastrnak and the Boston Bruins are making a lot of noise. The Bruins lead the league with a record of 37-5-4, and their 78 points through 46 games is on pace for record territory. Pastrnak is having yet another outstanding season, leading the B’s in scoring with 65 points (36 goals, 29 assists) in 46 games. 

Pastrnak is a six-time NHL all-star and finished 4th in the race for the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2019-20. Now that we are well into the season, let’s see where Pastrnak stands in the Hart Trophy betting market:

Pasta Hart Trophy Odds

The race for the Hart Trophy is going to be interesting to watch in the second half of the season. Unsurprisingly, Connor McDavid began the season with the shortest odds at +250 on DraftKings Sportsbook. Back then, Pasta had the 16th shortest odds at +3500. But, his phenominal play has resulted in his odds getting shorter. He is now +1600, and only McDavid has better odds at -550.

The chart below breaks down the betting odds for the Hart Trophy on DraftKings Sportsbook at the beginning of the season vs now:

What makes Pastrnak such a threat is his ability to beat opponents in transition or while cycling around the offensive zone. The quality of his shots contributes to a high expected goal total, which he tends to outperform with his elite finishing talent. It’s hard to believe there were 15 other players with shorter odds to win the Hart before the season. 

Related news: Massachusetts To Launch Sports Betting January 31

What Is The Hart Memorial Trophy?

The Hart Memorial Trophy is named after Dr. David Hart, who donated the award and was the father of Montreal Canadiens coach Cecil Hart. It is awarded to the NHL player who is considered the most valuable player for their team. In laymen’s terms, the Hart is the NHL’s MVP award. 

Wayne Gretzky won the award eight years in a row between 1979-1987, but a first-time winner has won the award in seven straight seasons after Toronto’s Auston Matthews secured the award in 2021-22. Alex Ovechkin has captured three, while Sidney Crosby has two. The Edmonton Oilers have seen two different winners over the last four seasons, Connor McDavid (2016-17, 2020-21) and Leon Draisaitl (2019-20). 

Also read: Retail Caesars Sportsbook Coming To Raynham Park

Past Hart Trophy Winners

2021-22: Austin Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

2020-21: Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

2019-20: Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers

2018-19: Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning

2017-18: Taylor Hall, LW, New Jersey Devils

2016-17: Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

2015-16: Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

2014-15: Carey Price, G, Montreal Canadiens

2013-14: Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins 

2012-13: Alex Ovechkin, RW, Washington Capitals

2011-12: Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins 

What Other NHL Futures Bets Are There?

The Hart Memorial Trophy is one of the more popular award props to bet, but there are additional futures markets to explore around the sports betting marketplace. DraftKings offers odds on the winner of the Stanley Cup, each conference and division, as well as the Presidents’ Trophy in the NHL. You can also bet on team point totals and whether or not a specific team will make they playoffs.

Hockey fans in Massachusetts can’t place these bets in their state right now, but that time is coming soon. Massachusetts sports betting has been approved, and the industry will launch at three Massachusetts casinos on January 31 at 10 a.m. Mobile betting is expected to go live in late February or early March.

Once the industry is live, bettors in Massachusetts will have plenty of options when it comes to NHL betting.

AP Photo/Steven Senne