A weekly gauge of the players who are controlling substantial buzz around the league. When a player is included on this list it may not be a good thing -- it means that they are capturing a large amount of the hockey world's attention.

Connor McDavid scored in the second period and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 for their second straight win.

Darcy Kuemper has 29 saves for the Kings, but Connor McDavid scores in the second period and Stuart Skinner stops 30 shots as Edmonton takes the Pacific Division showdown, 1-0.

No margin for error in Edmonton

Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper (35) makes a save on Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) during second period NHL action in Edmonton, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Darcy Kuemper recorded 29 saves in the loss for the Kings.

Connor McDavid scored the game's lone goal and Stuart Skinner provided a shutout to power the host Edmonton Oilers to a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse picked up assists as McDavid scored on his 28th birthday.

EDMONTON -- Connor McDavid scored the only goal on his 28th birthday, and Stuart Skinner made 30 saves for the Edmonton Oilers in a 1-0 win against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Place on Monday. It was McDavid’s 72nd game-winning goal, tying Glenn Anderson for the most in franchise history.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid found the back of the net in Monday's victory over the Los Angeles Kings. McDavid's snap shot goal in the second period was the only goal of the evening as Stuart Skinner blanked the Kings.

Connor McDavid will lead the Edmonton Oilers against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena, Denver in back-to-back games after playing the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday.

Birthday boy Connor McDavid got the goal and Stuart Skinner got the shutout as Edmonton improved to 3-1-1 with a 'Convenience Store' lineup.

Connor McDavid scored the game's lone goal and Stuart Skinner provided a shutout to power the host Edmonton Oilers to a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.

Connor McDavid scores the decisive goal on his 28th birthday & Stuart Skinner secures the 30-save shutout on Monday to give the Oilers two points in a 1-0 victory over the Kings at Rogers Place