Pre-Scout: Oilers and “no brainer” MVP McDavid visit Kings to clinch playoff berth |
Kasperi Kapanen thinks it’s a no-brainer: Connor McDavid should be the Hart Trophy winner.
Hard to argue after McDavid’s game on Wednesday, which almost single-handedly elevated the Edmonton Oilers against the San Jose Sharks. The captain scored a hat-trick and added two assists for the 5-2 victory, the 14th five-point game of his career.
During this road trip, McDavid has scored two otherworldly goals off the rush, reminding Oilers fans of the privilege it is to watch him every night. His teammates recognize just how special it is.
“He won the game for us,” said Kapanen on Friday after practice.
“There’s a reason why he’s the best player in the world, and people should acknowledge that and have him in the conversations for…the best player award this year. It’s kind of crazy that they’re taking him out of the conversation right now, which makes no sense to me or anybody with a half-decent brain.”
Whether sportswriters voting for the Hart have a decent brain is anybody’s guess (just read my copy), but no one could ignore how McDavid’s rocket boots were firing.
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Connor McDavid = Good at playing the sport of hockey 👍 🏒 4-2 Oilers! 🎥 - @Sportsnet
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3:15 AM · Apr 9, 2026
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Less sexy, but important for the playoffs, was how the team’s overall defensive effort muzzled the Sharks. San Jose didn’t have an even-strength shot in the first period, and mustered just four total in the third. The Oilers grabbed a lead and didn’t fiddle with it, putting away their opponent, which has been their Achilles heel at times this season.
Not to mention how the team’s power play came alive, scoring on all three man-advantage opportunities. Connor McDavid, Vasily Podkolzin, and Jack Roslovic’s three goals on the power play are the same number than the previous 11 games combined without Leon Draisaitl.
“We still feel like our best hockey is in front of us and we’re going to peak at the right time here in a couple of weeks,” said McDavid post-game.
With Vegas’ shootout loss on Thursday, the Oilers have a one-point lead on both the Golden Knights on Ducks, with each team having three games left.
If the Oilers get a point vs the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, they’re officially in the playoffs. If they get five points out of six, nobody can stop the Oilers from claiming their........