from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,

Let’s stop talking about Leon Draisaitl as a Hart Trophy candidate, shall we. I mean, seriously.

He’s not a candidate, OK?

He’s the favourite.

And with 10 points in the four games that Connor McDavid has missed due to injury, the big German is officially extinguishing the final embers of what has been a pretty bad take for some time now.

"According to a lot of people out there, I can’t play on my own. I can only play with Connor," Draisaitl said after setting up Josh Archibald’s OT winner in Raleigh. It was Draisaitl’s third point in a 4-3 victory that launched the Edmonton Oilers into first place in the Pacific Division, and leaves them at 12-4-2 since young Kailer Yamamoto joined the club for a New Year’s Eve game against the Rangers.

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