Is the Hart Trophy MacKinnon's to lose despite an impressive field?

Nathan MacKinnon leads all scorers right now with 41 goals and 72 assists, which gives him 113 points on the season. Is he a lock for the Hart Trophy despite what Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid are doing? Mike Johnson discusses in Wednesday's Talking Point.

[@taulpaul]

McD historically finishes the year really strong. I get the goals, but oil have 3 games in hand - which could have his team tied with the Avs and have him a couple points back. by the end of the year he could 10 points clear and the oilers could win the Pacific (this point is very doubtful, but not impossible)... pretty insane a comment like this can even be made given the start. we wait.

[@albertnordine6546]

I agree it's Nate's to win or lose. I'm from Nova Scotia but I'm a Connor fan but Nate is my second favourite. Right now I would give it to him but there's still games left and Connor has 3 extra. Forget Kucherov, he's a one way player who feeds off the power play and empty nets. Watch them play and he's on the ice the entire 2 minutes of the power play and last 3 minutes of the empty net scenario and his plus minus sits at plus 2, pretty bad for a guy with 112 points. Forget Matthews, he's a goal scorer and they have a trophy for that. He's 35 or so points behind MacKinnon. They gave him one 2 years ago when they stole it from Connor when he finished 29 points ahead of Matthews in the scoring race. So right now it's Nate in my books.

[@ethanparker7900]

Natedogg should absolutely get it. He should've had it in 2018 as well over Hall

[@Bink1221]

"every single night" is an overstatement. Mack just went -2 with no points shutout against the Jets... Mathews on huge scoring streak hits 69. Mathews way better on faceoffs, more hits, more blocks, less giveaway... Mathews way more consistent and sorry but goals mean soooo much more than assists... especially when like 38 of them are secondary assists and most not on even strength. I hope this guy isn't voting for Hart.

[@deankung469]

I'm an Oilers fan and Connor always has a strong finish to the regular season so I wouldn't count him out but MacKinnon is a beast, the Avs are rolling so yes its Nathan's to loose

[@jessehoran3083]

Avs fan, so I agree with your assessment. I'll even agree McD is the best player on the planet. Mack is just off the charts Beast Mode this year, and it's been (near) every game. We're each lucky to have players like these two.

[@DPSARAUJO]

Yes 💯

[@rickrobitaille8809]

Rabbit and the hare effect 😂🇨🇦🇺🇸😁

[@rickrobitaille8809]

😂MacKinnon is art Ross hope McDavid is Stanley cup 🇨🇦😁

[@MattMRKMFMattJG24]

It's definitely McKinnon because unlike the season Matthew Robbed McDavid of it the points are close. Now if McDavid takes off and has way more point the McDavid should have it.

[@oldsingingstudentdougbillf1665]

I’d say MacKinnon but McDavid is a close second. Kutcherov has 48% of his points on the PP. Mathews isn’t even top 5. He has ZERO goals in 31 of his games played meaning ha scored all of his goals in only 33 games! and 22 games with ZERO points. McD for example after such a horrendous start for the Oilers has 10 games with no points and the Oilers would absolutely be NOWHERE without him.

[@bonedaddy95]

significant lead in points? You realize McD is only 10 points behind and if he hits a 100 assist this year thats more impressive then 48-50 goals for a Mac.

[@tobinkern5389]

Its McDavid... the guy with 100 points in 50 games a couple years ago. If you are 10 ahead of McDavid... thats saying a lot!

[@zigfield723]

I don't think so. The best player in the world is coming, with 3 games in hand too, 19 games left for McDavid. Wait until there's less than 10 games left and we'll see

[@oldsingingstudentdougbillf1665]

MacKinnon has the highest point per game in the NHL this season and will play 82 games while McD missed 3 games and will play 79 when it’s all done. That leaves MacKinnon winning the points race.

[@rickrobitaille8809]

Stanley cup baby 🇨🇦🇺🇸😁

[@qwwupp4763]

trophies are a joke so who cares

[@atrealdino6667]

CC want your suntan 🎸 lotion on 🤓🤣✌️😁🤘

[@breakaway2x]

McDavid sucks...he's just good at skating. MacKinnon does everything. He hits, he gets goals, he gets assists, he has the longest point streaks multiple kinds (home and overall), he's better 5 on 5, he's been consistent all year long.

[@deankung469]

Interesting, McDavid is just a good skater, nothing else? 5x Art Ross Trophy (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023) 2x Lester B Pearson Award (2017, 2018) 3x Hart Trophy (2017, 2021, 2023) 3x Ted Lindsay Award (2018, 2021, 2023)

[@user-qz3um5rw4g]

​@@deankung469how many Stanley cup finals?