Hart Trophy Power Rankings: Playoff spot or not, McDavid's the MVP so far

It's still relatively early in the NHL season, but the MVP race is starting to get interesting now that we're past the quarter mark.

A couple of obvious candidates still lead the charge, but some talented contenders have stated their case with dominant play of their own.

Here are five players deserving of Hart Trophy consideration at this point.

5. John Gibson

What Gibson is doing to keep the Anaheim Ducks competitive remains remarkable.

The Ducks came into Thursday's action allowing the second-most shots against per game (35.9) in the NHL, while averaging the fewest shots for in the league (26.4). They've mustered only 2.22 goals per game, which is also second worst.

Despite those unfavorable circumstances, Gibson has the fourth-best save percentage, the fifth-most wins, and is ranked ninth in high-danger save percentage among goalies with at least 10 games played. Plus, only Pekka Rinne and Frederik Andersen have better GSAA figures.

Anaheim would clearly be a cellar dweller without Gibson this season, but they're in the early mix for a postseason berth almost entirely because of him.

4. Mikko Rantanen

Don't dismiss Rantanen's success as a byproduct of playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon. While it's true to a degree, Rantanen has been an absolute force in his own right and deserves some credit for that.

The Colorado Avalanche winger is leading the NHL in points, assists, and points per game, with 17 of his helpers coming on MacKinnon goals.

You can read the latter point one of two ways: Yes, he's benefited greatly by playing with MacKinnon, but on the other hand, MacKinnon might not have many of his 18 goals if not for his linemate. The Finnish forward's significant value should be acknowledged.

3. Jeff Skinner

Skinner was held off the scoresheet as the Buffalo Sabres' 10-game win streak was snapped Thursday night, but he's been carrying the NHL's hottest team and what is the best story in the league so far.

He's been an incredible acquisition and racked up 10 goals and an assist during the streak, including two game-winners in a three-game span.

The winger's 19 goals are more than double that of the next-best teammate, and he's the only Sabres skater in double digits. Skinner has nearly a quarter of Buffalo's goals, and he's figured in on nearly a third of them.

Jack Eichel has 25 assists so far and deserves some credit for Skinner's spectacular play, but the first-year Sabre is the biggest reason Buffalo has one of the NHL's best records.

2. Nathan MacKinnon

Sure, MacKinnon has been aided by Rantanen's breakout campaign, but the 2017-18 Hart runner-up is the biggest catalyst on arguably the most dangerous line in the NHL.

The 23-year-old dynamo poured in four points in a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night, and he has an eye-popping 15 points in his last six games. All of those were multi-point efforts, and he has nine multi-point performances in his last dozen contests.

MacKinnon is the anchor of Colorado's attack. Only four NHL forwards are logging more ice time, and he's the biggest reason the Avalanche have blossomed from a wild-card team a season ago into a legitimate Central Division contender.

1. Connor McDavid

It's evident most Hart voters prefer players on playoff-contending teams, and the Oilers are currently on the outside looking in, but there's no denying McDavid has had the greatest impact on his club's play out of anyone in the league.

The 2017 MVP has figured in on half of the Edmonton Oilers' goals (34 of 68), and ranks fifth in the points race despite playing for a club that's tied for fifth-worst in goals per game.

McDavid trails only Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov in average ice time among NHL forwards and is the primary reason the Oilers are in the hunt for a wild-card spot.

Honorable mentions: Patrik Laine, David Pastrnak, Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Elias Pettersson.

ATOI = Average time on ice
SCF% = Percentage of scoring chances generated by the player's team with him on the ice at 5-on-5
CF% = Percentage of shot attempts generated by the player's team with him on the ice at 5-on-5
HDSV% = Save percentage on high-danger shots
GSAA = Goals saved above average (calculated by applying a goaltender's save percentage and total shots faced to the league average save percentage)

(Analytics courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)