The latest development in the Hart Trophy race has Matthews out in front
The race for the Hart Trophy at this time last month seemed to be a two-horse race. On one hand, you have Auston Matthews, who was on pace for 60-plus goals and over 100 points en route to his second consecutive Rocket Richard Trophy, and on the other hand, you have a legitimate Vezina Trophy candidate in Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who had taking the NHL by storm with one of the most impressive seasons in NHL history.
I had previously written about how, in my opinion, Matthews was the clear frontrunner and that I might even place Shesterkin as low as third on my list. The Hart Trophy is not an award that is often awarded to a goaltender, and when Carey Price had won the award in 2015, he had started 66 games that season. Comparing that to Shesterkin, who is on pace to play a little over 50 games, it just doesn't seem likely that he'll play enough to be in consideration.
Meanwhile, Matthews has missed 5 games this season - 3 due to his recovery from offseason wrist surgery and an additional 2 games after being suspended for a cross check on Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during the Heritage Classic in Hamilton, ON earlier this month.
Despite playing less games than each of his competitors in the Rocket Richard Trophy race, Matthews (46 goals) still holds a 4-goal lead over his closest competitors in Rangers forward Chris Kreider and Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (42 goals each). Matthews has played 57 games, while both Draisaitl and Kreider have played 64 apiece.
Matthews has recorded 9 goals and 11 points in his last 6 games and has continued to dominate over the last month. Meanwhile, Shesterkin, who is now on pace for 53 appearances this season, has dropped off considerably of late, posting sub-.880 save percentages in 3 of his last 5 starts, going 2-3-0 over that span. his GAA has increased to 2.14 and his save percentage has dropped from .942 to .936, which is still fantastic, but if he continues to trend downward, Shesterkin is at risk of dropping further out of the Hart Trophy race.
In terms of Matthews' closest competitors right now, Connor McDavid and Roman Josi have to be up there.
| POLL | ||
MARS 23 | 164 ANSWERS The latest development in the Hart Trophy race has Matthews out in front Will Matthews win the Hart Trophy this season? | ||
| Yes | 83 | 50.6 % |
| No | 44 | 26.8 % |
| He might win the Hart, Rocket and Ted Lindsay | 37 | 22.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
