The 2023-24 NHL season has been full of surprises, but the best of the best are performing in a big way this season.

Unlike the last few seasons, the Hart Trophy race looks to truly be a race as some of the top players in the NHL are playing their best hockey. Now that we've made it to NHL All-Star break, it's apparent who will be in the conversation until the very end of this campaign as we've got just around 30 games to go.

Let's take a look at the Hart Trophy odds via the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

NHL Hart Trophy Odds

Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche (-135)

The Colorado Avalanche have once again been one of the best teams in hockey, and a big reason why is the play of Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon has looked like the best player in the NHL this year, and it's why he's at -135 in the Hart Trophy race.

Through 49 games this season, the star center has 31 goals, 53 assists, and 84 points. The 53 assists are tied for first in the league while he's fifth with his 31 goals. The 84 points leave him just behind Nikita Kucherov by one, but even so, MacKinnon is the favorite in this market heading into the break.

Part of MacKinnon's insane domination has been what he's doing on home ice. The Avs' forward has a 25-game home point streak -- which is tied for the second-longest streak to start a season in NHL history. If he's able to maintain that dominance at home, it should only keep him ahead in the Hart Trophy race.

The player with the most points doesn't always win the Hart Trophy. Even if MacKinnon doesn't have the points lead at season's end, as long as he can stay close, the overall success of the Avalanche is what gives him the inside track to take home his first MVP honor.

Nikita Kucherov, Lightning (+300)

Nikita Kucherov knows how to win a Hart Trophy, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that he's back to his scoring ways this season.

The Tampa Bay Lightning winger has been dynamite, resulting in his best season since 2018-19 -- when he won the Hart Trophy. He finished with 128 points in that campaign and hasn't been able to match it since. Well, this year, he's on his way to finishing with 141.9 points at his current pace. Not winning an MVP with that output would be difficult, but he's in second right now by the odds.

How can Kucherov set himself apart from MacKinnon? Run away with the points title.

Kucherov leads the NHL in points with 85 points on 32 goals and 53 assists. He's tied with MacKinnon for the league-lead in assists and is on track to have his first 40-goal season since 2018-19. If MacKinnon slows down in any way -- which he's showed no signs of -- then Kucherov will likely be ready to pounce.

If you have belief in what the former Hart Trophy winner can do the rest of the season, Kucherov's +300 odds very well could be the longest number we can get him at the rest of the way.

Connor McDavid, Oilers (+430)

It's been a disappointing season for Connor McDavid. But has it really been that disappointing?

In terms of what McDavid usually puts together, this season has been under the mark -- which is unfair to him given the circumstances of what his year has been.

Over 43 games, the Edmonton Oilers' captain has netted 20 goals while dishing out 47 helpers. That's good for 67 points (fourth-most), translating to 1.56 points per game. He's under the points-per-game rate that MacKinnon and Kucherov are on and was injured earlier in the season, taking a step back from what we're used to and what we saw from him just a year ago.

McDavid's goals, specifically, are down as he has just 20 on the season after leading the NHL with a whopping 64 just a year ago. That goal tally -- more than anything -- is why he isn't having the "usual" season we're accustomed to from McDavid.

It takes a special season to pry the Hart Trophy away from McDavid, a three-time winner. These +430 odds pay respect to McDavid and what he can do, but this feels like a year where he's not going to be taking home the MVP award. He can always flip the switch, however. Never completely count him out.

David Pastrnak, Bruins (+1200)

Seventy-two points and the best player on the best team in hockey. For David Pastrnak, it's been a fantastic season already.

The Boston Bruins enter the NHL All-Star break with 71 points, tied for the most in the league. And as noted, Pastrnak has clearly been the best player on Boston this season as he's taking a step from top-tier goalscorer to complete playmaker.

Those 71 points come from Pasta's 3rd-ranked 33 goals and 10th-ranked 39 assists. It's been the distribution that has been different for him, and it's led the 2022-23 Hart Trophy finalist to be in the conversation for the award once again this season.

It's unlikely he will be able to get another 60-goal season under his wing unless he surges after the break, but that's why the helpers have aided his efforts all the more this year. Pastrnak is third in points but is 14 behind MacKinnon for second -- showing how far ahead the top options are. The Bruins' star is a longshot for a reason.

Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs (+1300)

The NHL's leading goalscorer has won the Hart Trophy in two straight seasons. Can Auston Matthews make it a third?

Matthews leads the NHL with 40 goals at the break. He's on track to score 70.8 goals if he plays the remainder of the games on the Toronto Maple Leafs' schedule. He was able to win the Hart Trophy after potting 60 goals in the 2021-22 season. The main problem for Matthews won't be the goals, of course, but his team's performance and the lack of assists on his side.

The Maple Leafs are currently fourth in the Atlantic Division, and it's really no fault of Matthews'. He has just 18 on the campaign, though, which is a down clip for him. He's had at least 45 assists in each of his last two seasons, so his playmaking prowess has taken a backseat to his goal scoring in 2023-24.

That's not a bad thing, but it's likely what will keep him from taking the Hart Trophy this season. Goals are great, but there's been better overall players. That's why Matthews sits at +1300 odds.

Looking for more NHL betting opportunities? Check out all of the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.