from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- Nikita Kucherov, Patrick Kane and Connor McDavid are 1-2-3 in NHL scoring and probably that way in the Hart Trophy race. If Kane’s Blackhawks or McDavid’s Oilers make the playoffs, they might slide in ahead of Kucherov. Hard to overlook Kucherov as the best player on the NHL’s best team in Tampa. My other MVP candidates with 30% of the season still to play: Sidney Crosby, Johnny Gaudreau, Sebastian Aho.

- The boy genius GM John Chayka, still looking for his first playoff game in Arizona, traded 21-year-old centre Dylan Strome to Chicago and all Strome has done is score 31 points in 34 games. The Blackhawks were 8-1 in their last nine games heading into Saturday night. Strome has 15 points in those nine games. Meanwhile, the Coyotes, out of the playoffs, are still looking for a big No. 1 centre.

- Why Barry Trotz should romp in coach of the year voting: Last year, the Islanders were worst in the NHL in goals against. This year, they’re best. And five of his regular defencemen have returned from last year’s team. Incredible.

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