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Nathan MacKinnon has the inside track on his second-straight Hart Trophy winner. Here are four other names to watch in the NHL's MVP race.

Linesman Jonny Murray left in the third period after briefly returning following a second-period collision in the Avalanche game against Winnipeg on Wednesday night.

Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche ... Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning, D5 20. Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets, LW5 21. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, LW6 22. Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres ...

There were other parts to the deal that included Chicago GM Kyle Davidson either ... but he is not close to MacKinnon, because nobody is other than Connor McDavid.

The Calgary Flames continue to search for offense, which explains why Jonathan Huberdeau is the NHL's lowest-ranked top scorer of a team.

Will he re-sign in Carolina after this season -- and if not, where else? And what will other contenders do to keep pace ahead of the March 7 deadline?

For the first time in his career, Leon Draisaitl is no longer living in Connor McDavid’s shadow. Ever since McDavid entered the league in the 2015-16 season, he and Draisaitl are first and second in scoring with a respective 1,

NEW YORK — Artturi Lehkonen scored the tiebreaking goal with 14.7 seconds left and Mackenzie Blackwood made 33 saves and the Colorado Avalanche defeated the New York Rangers 5-4 on Sunday.

Makar gained possession, started a 3-on-1 and made a pass from the right circle to Lehkonen, who lifted the puck over Igor Shesterkin. Newcomer Jack Drury and Juuso Parssinen also scored for the Avs, while Nathan MacKinnon and new acquisition Martin Necas set up both Makar goals.

ST. LOUIS — In Utah last weekend, St. Louis Blues coach Jim Montgomery benched linemates Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich. He followed that up by separating the two for the next game against the Vegas Golden Knights and the start of the teams’ rematch Thursday night.

Artturi Lehkonen scored the tiebreaking goal with 14.7 seconds left and Mackenzie Blackwood made 33 saves and the Colorado Avalanche defeated the New York Rangers 5-4 on Sunday.