Nikita Kucherov is the favorite to win the NHL’s MVP award. Kucherov is a deserving favorite: He has 33 goals and a league-leading 87 points and, since 1998-99, 14 of the 18 Hart winners have been a center or wing who led the NHL in goals or points. Going back to 2005-06, all but one (Montreal Canadiens netminder Carey Price) has been a high-scoring forward from a playoff team. He has 30 goals and 44 assists in 63 games — 31 more points than Nico Hischier, New Jersey’s second-leading scorer. His stretch of 26 consecutive appearances with a point was the 13th such instance in NHL history.

Source: Washington Post March 09, 2018 15:46 UTC