The Edmonton Oilers wake up this Sunday morning in First Place in the Pacific Division, and third overall in the NHL. The Oilers went 2-1 with Connor McDavid out due to suspension and have been 25-8-2 since November 9 th. How different will the Oilers look when Connor is back is not the question. How officials will look at him…is.

When the 2024-25 NHL season is over, the award for the NHL’s best player – the Art Ross Trophy – will be voted upon. Looking at what’s happened thus far in the NHL, two players seem to be the frontrunners for the prize.

The 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast, an inside source that has accurately reported Oilers news this season, has said that Connor McDavid will scale back NHL media activities in response to officiating.

But before Connor McDavid arrived on the ice, his idol - Sidney Crosby - was the face of the NHL for over a decade. Crosby dominated similarly to McDavid, racking up 1,027 points and three Stanley Cup Championships in his first 12 seasons.

Connor McDavid made his return to the lineup after serving his three-game suspension, and he came back in style with a goal as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Seattle Kraken 4-2.

Nathan MacKinnon has the inside track on his second-straight Hart Trophy winner. Here are four other names to watch in the NHL's MVP race.

Connor McDavid has served his three-game suspension for cross-checking Conor Garland in the head on Jan. 18. After plenty of debate and complaints that the punishment for McDavid was too steep, the Oilers captain is back and ready to roll.

Connor McDavid dreamt about representing Canada at international tournaments long before entering the NHL. Another item on his bucket list is set to be checked off next month — suiting up alongside Sidney Crosby.

When Leon Draisaitl won his first Hart Trophy in 2019-20, he made his case during a stretch when teammate Connor McDavid was out with an injury. The Oilers had missed the playoffs in back-to-back years in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and found themselves back in the mix in 2019-20 after a hot start to the season.

One of the best players in the game is continuing to impress and is on pace to take home some more hardware. Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon is once again scoring at a torrid pace.

NHL last night, including the Canadiens’ match in Dallas. The CH won their game against the Stars, but we also need to talk about what happened elsewhere across the league. It was a busy evening: That’s a wrap on a 13-game Thursday!

Connor McDavid missed an opportunity to play for Canada at the 2018 Olympics when the NHL skipped the event after going to five straight between 1998 and 2014.