Matthews? Gaudreau? Shesterkin? Hart Trophy race at least 7 deep

Auston Matthews leads the NHL in goals, Connor McDavid has the most points and Igor Shesterkin has been the best goaltender in the league.

It's entirely possible none of them wins the Hart Trophy as MVP.

"There's an argument or a case for each guy where you say, `Yep, for sure,"' former NHL player and coach Rick Tocchet said. "I think this is probably the hardest Hart in years. It's not clear cut for me because I can make an argument for everybody."

There will be plenty of arguments made before ballots are due Monday evening. Another problem? Only five players can be listed.

"What's the case? He's the best scorer," Toronto Maple Leafs teammate David Kampf said. "He has the most goals. That is the reason."

An injury slowed Matthews' push for 60 goals but doesn't diminish how he has been leading Toronto all season and now into the playoffs.

"It's just a number," Leafs defenceman Justin Holl said. "I don't know if he cares about it that much."

An added touch: 43 of his goals have come at even strength, also most in the league.

"It's not outlandish to have him winning the Hart just because of his production and the way he's played defence, too," said Tocchet, now a Turner Sports analyst. "His defensive game has really been at another level. You watch him and he's down low, he's winning battles, he's helping his D out for possessions."

Edmonton's captain is the best hockey player in the world and is on pace to win the scoring race for the fourth time in the past six seasons. He's the most dynamic playmaker in the sport and the reason the Oilers are always a threat to make a deep playoff run.

"He had the perfect role model in Sidney Crosby to evaluate his game the way Crosby has grown into a 200-foot hockey player, has grown