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.

Connor McDavid will lead the Edmonton Oilers against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena, Denver in back-to-back games after playing the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday.

Despite Blackwood's incredible play, the Avs have been scuffling in the new year. They've gone 4-2-1 in 2025, alternating wins and losses as their offence has started to dry up. Contrast that with the Oilers, who have won seven of their past eight, including two shutouts from Stuart Skinner and five four-goal nights from the offence.

Let's take a look at four of them who should be leading the way.

Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisailt leads a talented field of NHL elite in the race for this season's Hart Trophy, highlighting his value to the team and league

Draisaitl's elite production has led the Oilers to a top-five position in the NHL standings and he is firmly in the mix to take home his second Hart Trophy. Per FanDuel Sportsbook, Draisaitl has the third-best odds to win the award at +320. Only Nathan MacKinnon at +280 and his Oilers teammate Connor McDavid at +300 have shorter odds.

Leon Draisaitl is having a Hart-Trophy calibre season this year, but fans and media outside of Edmonton are still sleeping on the Oilers superstar - with TSN not even naming him as an MVP candidate.

The reports continue to trickle in on Mikko Rantanen’s contract status. Rantanen is in the last year of his contract and talks between his representation and the Avalanche front office have been in a stalemate recently,

Draisaitl is expected to be a core piece for the Oilers for the foreseeable future. He signed an eight-year, $112 million contract ($14 million average annual value) starting next season and is currently in the final season of an eight-year, $68 million contract ($8.5 million AAV) signed prior to the 2017-2018 season.

It was hard-nosed blueliner Darnell Nurse who picked up the primary assist. His contribution was being ready to take a Draisaitl pass, and blast a solid attempt on net but have it stopped by Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Instead, it was Draisaitl who did all the work to make this four-on-four goal happen.

Has Penguins GM Kyle Dubas deserved the criticism for the team's state? Should the Devils trade Simon Nemec? Would you rather MacKinnon or Draisaitl in the playoffs? And more.

After an OT win against New Jersey snapped a three-game losing streak, Justin Bourne shares his thoughts on three players the Maple Leafs will be counting on most for the team to have long-term success this season.