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NHL Power Rankings: Bruins climb as the Golden Knights fall

By Derek Grochowski

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 17: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi (5) and Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) collide in the second period of the NHL game between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning on March 17, 2018 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 17: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi (5) and Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) collide in the second period of the NHL game between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning on March 17, 2018 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – MARCH 18: Connor McDavid
TAMPA, FL – MARCH 18: Connor McDavid /

29. Edmonton Oilers (-2)

Somehow Connor McDavid is in the Hart Trophy conversation. He is having a great season; there’s no denying that. And yes, this award should not be exclusive to playoff teams only. The definition of the trophy is “an annual award given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team.”  The Oilers are currently 25th in the standings. If you take away McDavid, the Oilers would probably slide to 28th or 29th.  A team spread is not enough to win the Hart Trophy.

There are candidates for the Hart, such as Taylor Hall and Nathan MacKinnon, who have carried their teams to a playoff position. Without them, they would be much worse in the standings, making them more valuable to their team than McDavid to the Oilers. If you want to give McDavid an award he should be a top candidate for the Ted Lindsay Award given to “the most outstanding player in the NHL.”

Last week was not kind to the Oilers. They dropped two of three including losses to the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks on back-to-back nights. The Oilers eventually were able to rally and beat the Florida Panthers on Saturday before a matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. This upcoming week will be a good chance for the Oilers to pick up some more points as they face the Carolina Hurricanes, Ottawa Senators and then finish the week with a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Kings.

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