Hart Trophy a two-horse race between Kane and Crosby

— -- Official ballots for the Hart Trophy are due next week. So, as the regular season winds down, there's no better time to look at the top candidates for the season's MVP award:

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks: Not only will he be the only player to eclipse the 100-point barrier this season, but he did so by playing mostly with a second-line center and rookie winger. Kane made those around him better and did it consistently from the opening game of the season right to the end. It was simply a majestic season from No. 88.

Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars: The Stars' engine has been a force all season and has helped lead last year's non-playoff team into a race for first place in the NHL's toughest division. The forward does it all for the Stars, and while some voters will hold teammate Tyler Seguin's impressive season (before he was injured) against Benn, there's no arguing that he is a true MVP candidate.

Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning: Where would the Bolts be without their goalie this season? They're among the top five teams in goals against, and through all the injuries and inconsistent offensive play (including a lackluster power play), Bishop has been there to backstop Tampa Bay to a playoff berth. Carey Price set the bar high last season, in terms of what it takes to win a Hart Trophy as a goalie, but Bishop certainly fits the criteria for MVP of his team.

Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks: Ho-hum, just another year at the office for one of the league's most consistent two-way centers. The 36-year-old Thornton put up his best offensive numbers in half a decade without much fanfare. It probably hurts his Hart case that teammate  Joe Pavelski has also had another standout season, not to mention the fantastic play down the stretch by  Brent Burns, but it shouldn't take away from a monster season from Thornton.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington Capitals: The 23-year-old, who has had arguably the most consistent offensive performance on the NHL's No. 1 team, more than doubled his output from last season while establishing himself as one of the league's top centers. His MVP case is no doubt watered down, unfortunately, by sharing the spotlight with other great individual seasons put up by guys on his own team, notably by goalie Braden Holtby and top NHL goal scorer Alex Ovechkin. 

Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals: Speak of the devil ... the NHL leader in wins saw some of his numbers fade a bit in the second half, although he's having a strong finish. But 47 wins are 47 wins -- and simply outstanding. Holtby is one of the main reasons the Caps had such a remarkable regular season and deserves to be part of the MVP chatter.