from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

Fans of the Chicago Blackhawks were treated to one heck of a point streak by Hart Trophy front-runner Patrick Kane.

On Thursday night, they'll get to see a winger on the visiting Edmonton Oilers who is putting together a special season of his own.

"He's been tremendous for us," Oilers head coach Todd McLellan said Wednesday when asked about Taylor Hall's season. "He's been the catalyst."

Fourth in league scoring with 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists) in 32 games, the 24-year-old Hall is on pace for a career season, helping carry his team through key injuries, including one to rookie phenom Connor McDavid.

"One of the best power skaters in the game," a rival Western Conference scout said of Hall. "Good hands plus good playmaking abilities, obviously can score goals. But his first couple of seasons, lots of us were worried about him getting hurt badly because he kept his head down. He's learning, though, and will continue to get better. A real exciting player to watch."

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