Alex Ovechkin tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, but unless that keeps him out long term, he'll still be vying for the Hart Trophy down the stretch.

Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl, on the other hand, has been in the MVP hunt this season, but he's no longer among the most deserving candidates due to his unspectacular underlying numbers and the superiority of his counterparts.

Here are our top five Hart contenders as we move further into the second half of the campaign:

5. Igor Shesterkin

Shesterkin is pulling away as the Vezina Trophy favorite, and though he's not a top MVP challenger, the New York Rangers goaltender deserves to be on the fringes of the Hart discussion.

Chris Kreider's league-best goal total has obviously helped the Rangers climb to second place in the Metropolitan Division by points percentage, but Shesterkin has kept the club in games it's had no business being in.

New York ranks third-last in the NHL in shots per game and has allowed more shots per contest than over half of the league's teams. Worse yet, the Rangers are last in scoring chances for percentage at five-on-five and have the fourth-worst expected goals for percentage in the same situations. Given those struggles, Shesterkin's excellence is even more commendable.

Despite his club's glaring weaknesses, Shesterkin leads all NHL netminders in goals saved above expected and ranks second in goals saved above average (both at five-on-five). New York wouldn't be a particularly competitive club without the 26-year-old's stellar play.

4. Auston Matthews

Matthews won't get as much Hart consideration as others on this list due to the Toronto Maple Leafs' stable of skilled forwards. But the 24-year-old center has done most of the heavy lifting for his team in 2021-22 and has scored at a ridiculous clip lately.

Matthews has a whopping 22 goals over his last 22 games dating back to Nov. 24, with a seven-game scoring streak at the start of that run. He's tied for third in the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy race, and it's worth noting he's played fewer games than the three players above him.

While all of that is remarkable, what's keeping the American in the MVP picture is his takeover of his team's offense. Matthews has scored nearly 20% of Toronto's goals and notched a point on about one-third of them, tallying 12 more goals and 11 more points than his next-closest teammates.

Matthews also has a 61.97 scoring chances for percentage to go along with his sparkling expected goals for percentage, ranking fourth and third, respectively, among NHL players with at least 400 minutes at five-on-five.

3. Jonathan Huberdeau

Huberdeau has been one of the NHL's preeminent playmakers for years, but he's been historically overlooked in MVP voting thanks to the presence of supremely skilled teammate Aleksander Barkov. The Florida Panthers have a deep supporting cast this season, but Huberdeau can no longer be a Hart Trophy afterthought.

The gifted winger has excelled in 2021-22, and he's proven his worth with Barkov missing over a quarter of Florida's games due to injury. Huberdeau leads the NHL in assists and points at the All-Star break, albeit with more games played than everyone else in the top 10 in both categories. Still, few would have predicted this dominance before the season.

Huberdeau has been the biggest reason for his squad's success and is red-hot since the calendar flipped to 2022, totaling six goals and 20 assists across the last 16 games.

The 28-year-old has 16 more assists and 20 more points than his next-closest teammates. When Barkov was out in November and December, Huberdeau poured in 14 points over eight games. He's also collected 13 of his 17 goals (76%) and 43 of his 64 points (67%) at even strength while posting better underlying numbers than the Panthers captain.

2. Connor McDavid

When the Oilers temporarily fell out of the postseason picture with a seven-game winless streak in December and January, McDavid's status as the season-long Hart Trophy front-runner had to be reconsidered. Then Edmonton reeled off four straight wins and returned to the playoff mix, where it narrowly remains based on points percentage.

McDavid wasn't to blame for the skid, nor did he deserve all of the credit for his team's resurgence. But like it or not, modern Hart voters consider a playoff berth all but mandatory for MVP consideration; with Edmonton's postseason hopes far from certain, the club's Canadian superstar is not yet a lock for the Hart.

McDavid's analytic figures are superior to those of the No. 1 name on this list, but he hasn't carried his team the way Ovechkin has buoyed his. Still, that's not to say the Oilers captain hasn't been his usual dominant self. A deeper look at the 25-year-old's underlying numbers confirms he has, and that's why he's high on this list as usual.

But despite Draisaitl's flaws, the German's immense production hurts McDavid's Hart chances, especially considering how much more Ovechkin has had to do for his squad. And while Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals have struggled by their standards, they're firmly entrenched in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division.

McDavid is still arguably the NHL's most explosive player, and he gives Edmonton a chance to win every game. But the two-time MVP is no longer the top dog in the 2021-22 race.

1. Alex Ovechkin

To say Ovechkin's output at 36 years old remains impressive is a massive understatement. At the most basic level, the prolific winger has been one of the best players in the league in 2021-22. He's among the NHL leaders in goals, points, and average ice time among forwards, leads the league in shots on goal and even-strength goals, and is tied for the lead in even-strength points. The Russian sniper's possession figures are favorable, too.

Then there's his performance relative to that of his team, which is the ultimate indicator of value. He's scored over twice as many goals and 13 more points than his next-closest teammate, Evgeny Kuznetsov. Ovechkin has nearly 100 more shots on goal (213) than his countryman (121), who also sits second among Capitals skaters in that regard.

Those disparities are partly because of a slew of absences due to injuries and COVID-19, but Ovechkin has kept his team afloat when it's been shorthanded, and that's what being the MVP is all about.

Ovechkin had been the only Washington player to suit up for every game in 2021-22 before his positive test forced him to miss Wednesday's contest. The Capitals captain continues to average nearly 22 minutes of ice time, and his workload this season would be his highest since his fourth NHL season in 2008-09. Playing in his 17th campaign and despite his current health setback, the Hart Trophy is Ovechkin's to lose.

(Analytics sources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey)

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The Anaheim Ducks are likely choosing experienced executive and former NHL player Pat Verbeek as their next general manager, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun and Eric Stephens.

Verbeek is the Detroit Red Wings' assistant GM, a role he's occupied since May 2019.

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman brought Verbeek back to Detroit after the former teammates worked together with the Tampa Bay Lightning dating back to 2010. Verbeek had served as a pro scout with the Red Wings before joining the Lightning. The 57-year-old was also Team North America's director of player personnel at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.

Tampa Bay hired Verbeek as director of pro scouting in June 2010, shortly after landing Yzerman. Tampa Bay then promoted Verbeek to assistant GM in July 2011.

Verbeek suited up for five teams, including Detroit, during his 20-year playing career. The former winger collected 522 goals and 540 assists over 1,424 games. He won the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999.

Anaheim's previous GM and executive vice president, Bob Murray, resigned in November and pledged to enter an alcohol abuse program following a team investigation into his professional conduct. Murray had been with Anaheim as an executive since 2005 and as GM since 2008.

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Two of the NHL's most electrifying players will battle for the title of fastest skater at the upcoming All-Star Skills Competition in Las Vegas.

Connor McDavid and Cale Makar will headline the event along with six other speedsters, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports.

Here's the reported list of competitors:

McDavid is a three-time winner, having taken the title every year from 2017-2019, and he can break Mike Gartner's all-time record for victories in the event if he prevails. New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal defeated McDavid in 2020, and there was no event last year.

Makar was a finalist for the Norris Trophy in 2021 and won the Calder in the previous campaign. He's captivated the hockey world this season, with his elite skating ability leading to several jaw-dropping goals.

Kreider entered Tuesday's slate tied for the league lead with 31 goals. Larkin was the competition's victor back in 2016.

The skills competition will be held Friday night before the All-Star tournament takes place Saturday afternoon.

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Eugene Melnyk does not agree with Ontario's current capacity restrictions for sporting events.

"It's my first game with empty seats," the Ottawa Senators owner told Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch during his team's win over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. "It's sad. I don't know who the people are that come up with these rules.

"They're misinformed and they're miscalculated. They should be challenged and they will be challenged."

Amid the surge of the omicron variant in December, the Ontario government reduced the maximum allowable capacity at sporting events and large entertainment venues to the lesser of 50% or 1,000 people.

Earlier in January, the province said it would allow the same locations to operate at 50% capacity or 500 people beginning Jan. 31, and restrictions would be eased to 50% capacity as of Feb. 21. The plan is to completely lift limits on March 14.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Toronto Maple Leafs as well as the NBA's Toronto Raptors and Scotiabank Arena, is in discussions with the province in hopes of lifting the restrictions, according to Garrioch.

The NHL postponed 14 Senators games - including eight home dates - this season due to COVID-19 issues. All of those matchups have been rescheduled, with five of them planned for after Feb. 21.

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Devon Levi appears primed to represent Canada once again at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Levi, Edward Pasquale, and Matt Tomkins will be Canada's goaltenders, TSN's Darren Dreger reports. However, the team's brain trust won't submit its final roster yet in case injuries or COVID-19 protocol situations arise, Dreger adds.

On Saturday, Kent Johnson - the Michigan standout who the Columbus Blue Jackets selected fifth overall last year - was reported to be among the Canadians' forwards. One day later, Dreger clarified Johnson will be an alternate heading into training camp but could crack the squad if one of the above scenarios happens.

Levi excelled for Canada's silver medal-winning side at the 2021 World Junior Championship. He was named the event's top netminder after posting a .964 save percentage over seven games despite playing nearly the entire tournament with a fractured rib sustained in the opener.

The 20-year-old has also been stellar for Northeastern this season, going 16-7-1 with a .948 save percentage across 24 contests. The Buffalo Sabres landed Levi in the trade that sent forward Sam Reinhart to the Florida Panthers in July.

Pasquale has played the last three campaigns in the KHL, suiting up for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl for the last two. The 31-year-old appeared in three games for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018-19 and spent nearly a decade in the AHL after the Atlanta Thrashers drafted him 117th overall in 2009.

Tomkins is 14-8-0 with a .913 save percentage in 23 games with Frolunda in Sweden this season. The 27-year-old Ohio State alum spent four campaigns in the AHL and ECHL before going overseas. The Chicago Blackhawks selected him in the seventh round of the 2012 draft.

The Canadian roster will reportedly include Owen Power, the Sabres' No. 1 overall pick in 2021, as well as NHL veteran and current AHLer Eric Staal.

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Hockey Canada unveiled its men's hockey roster for the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing on Tuesday.

The forwards are Daniel Carr, Adam Cracknell, David Desharnais, Landon Ferraro, Josh Ho-Sang, Corban Knight, Jack McBain, Mason McTavish, Eric O'Dell, Eric Staal, Ben Street, Adam Tambellini, Jordan Weal, and Daniel Winnik.

The defensemen are Mark Barberio, Jason Demers, Brandon Gormley, Alex Grant, Maxim Noreau, Owen Power, Mat Robinson, and Tyler Wotherspoon.

The goaltenders are Devon Levi, Edwards Pasquale, and Matt Tomkins, as was reported over the weekend.

Canada's squad will also feature six reserves in case of injury or COVID-19 protocol. They are forwards Chris DiDomenico, Kent Johnson, and Max Veronneau, defensemen Morgan Ellis and John Gilmour, and goaltender Justin Pogge.

The team will hold a training camp in Davos, Switzerland, from Jan. 25-Feb. 1, when they'll play a tune-up game against the Swiss Olympic team before departing for China. Canada will have another exhibition matchup against the United States on Feb. 7 in Beijing before the tournament begins two days later.

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The Vancouver Canucks have hired player agent and former NCAA forward Emilie Castonguay as their new assistant general manager.

Castonguay's now ex-clients include New York Rangers winger and 2020 first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere and Canadian star Marie-Philip Poulin, among others.

The new Canucks executive is the first female assistant GM in franchise history. She became the NHLPA's first female certified agent in 2016 and was still the only woman in the role before Vancouver hired her.

Castonguay played four seasons of Division I hockey at Niagara. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in finance and then earned a law degree from l'Universite de Montreal.

The Canucks added former New Jersey Devils player information and video analyst Rachel Doerrie to their analytics department last week.

The Anaheim Ducks named Angela Gorgone the NHL's first female assistant GM in 1996.

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Cam Talbot is ready to return to the crease.

The Minnesota Wild goaltender will start against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night, head coach Dean Evason said after the morning skate, according to the Star-Tribune's Sarah McLellan.

Talbot missed the last six games with an injury he sustained in Minnesota's Winter Classic loss to the St. Louis Blues at Target Field in Minneapolis on New Year's Day.

Kaapo Kahkonen was dominant while starting every game for the Wild in his absence. The backup netminder went 5-0-1 with a .937 save percentage and allowed only 14 goals over the six contests.

Talbot is 15-8-1 with a .909 save percentage in 24 games this season, but the 34-year-old has less flattering underlying numbers. He ranks fourth-worst in the NHL with minus-8.5 goals saved above expected at five-on-five to go along with minus-2.21 goals saved above average in the same situations, according to Evolving Hockey.

Despite Talbot's less than stellar play, the Wild enter Monday's action with the NHL's eighth-best record by points percentage.

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Records are made to be broken, and the owner of one of the most impressive NHL benchmarks welcomes the possibility of being surpassed this week.

Doug Jarvis is all for Keith Yandle breaking his record for consecutive games played. The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman can tie it Monday and establish a new standard Tuesday.

"My emotion is I'm just happy for him," Jarvis told Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli on Sunday. "A lot of people have said to me, 'That record will never be broken.' And I'm like, 'Why won't it be?' I'm really surprised that it's been 35 years."

"I wanted to play every game," added the retired blue-liner and current senior adviser for the Vancouver Canucks. "And before I knew it, they added up and I'm kind of like, 'Well, why can't that happen for anyone else?'"

Jarvis played an all-time best 964 straight games from Oct. 8, 1975, until Oct. 10, 1987. Yandle has suited up for 963 in a row in a run that began on March 26, 2009.

"It's one of those records that you just, at least for me - I'm just speaking for myself - I don't feel you can set out to break or pass,” the 66-year-old Jarvis said. "There's so many things. It's not just injuries. There's been a number of players that have gotten close over the years that ended apart from injuries."

Phil Kessel also has a shot at passing Jarvis, as the Arizona Coyotes forward has played 940 consecutive contests. Patrick Marleau sits at 910, but he remains unsigned this season. Andrew Cogliano was previously in the mix as well, but his streak ended at 830 when the NHL suspended him for two games in 2018.

Yandle's run almost ended last January, when then-Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville nearly made him a healthy scratch before changing his mind. The rearguard scored in the game, and his streak remained intact even though the Panthers ultimately sat him during the playoffs.

Jarvis intends to get in touch with Yandle to laud him for the achievement.

"I'd just say congratulations and well done," Jarvis said. "I'm really happy for him and the career he is having and it's great that he's basically been able to stay injury free through it."

The Flyers signed Yandle to a one-year, $900,000 contract in July. The 35-year-old previously played for the Panthers, the New York Rangers, and the Arizona/Phoenix Coyotes.

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The ECHL suspended Jacksonville Iceman defenseman Jacob Panetta indefinitely Sunday pending a hearing "as a result of his actions" during a game Saturday night.

Jordan Subban, a blue-liner for the South Carolina Stingrays who is Black, tweeted after the game Panetta directed a racist gesture toward him.

The ECHL's short statement made no mention of the specifics.

Jordan's brothers, New Jersey Devils rearguard P.K. and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Malcolm, called Panetta out while lamenting a lack of consequences for racist acts.

On Friday, the AHL suspended San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik for 30 games for directing a racist gesture at Tuscon Roadrunners winger Boko Imama during a game on Jan. 12.

Jalen Smereck, who was the victim of a racist taunt in the Ukrainian Hockey League in September, expressed dismay at the frequency of incidents in such a short period of time and wondered how many more have taken place.

(Courtesy: Instagram/@_jsmereck5)

Stingrays president Rob Concannon condemned Panetta's actions and backed Subban in a statement Sunday.

"The South Carolina Stingrays are disgusted and appalled by last night's incident involving Jordan Subban," he said. "Our organization stands in support of our friend and teammate, Jordan, as well as all other players who continue to deal with racism and discrimination. This behavior has to stop and is unacceptable."

The Icemen said they are cooperating with the ECHL's probe of the incident but added they are waiting until after it's completed to make "decisions" or comment further.

The NHL also issued a statement, but like the ECHL, it did not mention any specific racist acts.

"Incidents of racism, whether they occur in hockey or anywhere else, are abhorrent," the league said. "The NHL will continue to make its resources available to the hockey ecosystem to educate and inform, with the goal of making the game welcoming and safe for all players and fans."

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