Connor McDavid odds-on favorite to win 2021 Art Ross Trophy

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid is a prohibitive betting favorite at -106 to win his third career Art Ross Trophy for most points in the NHL. As of Tuesday morning, McDavid has 30 points, four clear of teammate Leon Draisaitl for the league lead.

So can anyone catch McDavid? Let’s dig into his credentials a little further before potentially making a case for an upset.

McDavid has amazed, against Ottawa in particular, in 2021

In this COVID-modified NHL regular season, the Canadian teams are all playing one another exclusively. You have to feel bad for the defenders that are facing McDavid as many as eight times in 2021.

McDavid has needed just 17 games to reach 30 points, a frantic pace highlighted by several multi-point games. That includes a hat-trick against the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 14, and a season-best five-point performance (one goal, four assists) against the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 31. McDavid has just one goal in six February games thus far, but has stuffed the statsheet with seven assists.

It’s easy to make a case for McDavid, but the price is awfully low considering there are so many games left in the campaign. He could lose to his own teammate (again), or even get injured and miss valuable games. A bet on McDavid doesn’t seem to be worth the risk at this juncture.

Draisaitl seeks second straight win as second choice

Draisaitl (+250) outshone McDavid in 2020, capturing the Art Ross Trophy by a comfortable 13-point margin. Even if the regular season had not be suspended due to COVID-19, it would have been nearly impossible for anyone to catch the German native.

Draisaitl has pretty much picked up where he left off in 2021, as he sits just four points off McDavid’s pace with more than half the season yet to be played. There’s more than enough time for him to mount a repeat Art Ross bid. The price is solid, if not spectacular.

Case can be made for Marner

The Toronto Maple Leafs are second only to the Tampa Bay Lightning in goals per game (Tampa leads 3.86 to 3.63), and Mitch Marner (+800) has been a major contributor to the cause.

The 23-year-old right winger is on pace for his finest season to date, as he has 23 points through 16 games. Marner has seven multi-point games, including three three-pointers.

If anyone can upset the Oiler duo, Marner might be the one. The odds are fair for those looking to take a swing with a longshot.