Hart Trophy Chase December 11, 2024

 

Photo credit: Santeri Viinamäki

The MVP Chase is normally about playing great in victories. A quarterback could throw for three touchdowns and run for three more, but if his team loses, that performance doesn't count. What matters is contributing to team success, which means winning.

In the NHL, however, overtime losses count for something. As opposed to losing in regulation, a loss in overtime earns a team one point in the standings (wins count for two points), the way a tie used to count (when NHL games had ties). OT losses contribute to team success, so player performances in those games count in The NHL MVP Chase.

For the NHL MVP chase, or The Hart Trophy Chase, I'm counting the total number of "MVP Games:" An MVP Game is: 

Points scored plus +/- equalling 2 or more in a win or OT loss.

("Points scored" is the player's total number of goals and assists in the game, and "+/-" is the number of goals the player scores minus the number of goals his team allows while the player is on the ice.)

An MVP Game for a goalie is two goals or fewer allowed in a victory, although the leader (Connor Hellebuyck of the Jets) is one game short of the top ten.

Here is the top ten list for the Hart Trophy as of games played through December 11, 2024. Note that a player's overall season points and +/- determine the ranking of players tied in the number of MVP games.

James Leroy Wilson writes The MVP Chase (subscribe). Thank you for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for writing, editing, research, and other work: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.