The race for the Art Ross promises to be a good one. Five players have at least 58 points, while nobody has amassed more than 62.
We've seen very little separation to date and, with the way things are shaping up, the quest for the Art Ross could come down to the wire.
Let's take a look at the current oddsboard from Barstool Sportsbook, as well as the best way to attack the market.
| PLAYER | ODDS | GP | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connor McDavid | -106 | 39 | 58 |
| Leon Draisaitl | +150 | 40 | 61 |
| Jonathan Huberdeau | +300 | 45 | 62 |
| Alexander Ovechkin | +800 | 45 | 58 |
| Nathan MacKinnon | +5000 | 31 | 43 |
| Mikko Rantanen | +5000 | 40 | 53 |
| Steven Stamkos | +5000 | 44 | 51 |
| Nazem Kadri | +6000 | 40 | 59 |
| Kirill Kaprizov | +10000 | 39 | 52 |
| Auston Matthews | +10000 | 37 | 45 |
| Timo Meier | +10000 | 40 | 47 |
Note: only listing players with odds 100-1 or shorter
Best bet: Connor McDavid (-106)
Sometimes the best bets are the simplest ones. I think that's the case here with Connor McDavid. He's a hair behind Leon Draisaitl in the points-per-game race, but I think the tables will turn in time. McDavid is the better playmaker, and he's generating scoring chances at a higher clip. Draisaitl is definitely the better finisher, but he could be in for a bit of regression while I think McDavid's increased volume can help him score a little more - whether he converts at a high clip or not.
Fade: Nathan MacKinnon (+5000)
I don't see how Nathan MacKinnon enters this race. He was already at a disadvantage in games played, and his recent injury won't help matters. His point-per-game output would have to be enormous to come close to making up lost ground already. I'm not sure he matches McDavid or Draisaitl in points per game, let alone soars past them to the extent necessary to get back in the mix.
Best value: Jonathan Huberdeau (+300)
I don't think Jonathan Huberdeau - or anyone - will best the Oilers' duo, but the Florida Panthers' star forward probably has the best chance. He's the current leader in total points, he plays for the league leaders in goals scored, and he's in a very top-heavy division. He'll see a lot of the Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, and Detroit Red Wings. All four of those teams rank in the bottom seven in goals against per game, which will undoubtedly help Huberdeau's cause.
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
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