The Daily Faceoff Show: Is Jonathan Huberdeau going to win the Art Ross Trophy?

With a three-point performance on Tuesday, Jonathan Huberdeau has jumped Connor McDavid for the NHL’s scoring lead.

On Wednesday’s edition of The Daily Faceoff Show, Frank Seravalli and Chris Gear discussed whether Huberdeau or McDavid is more likely to take home the Art Ross Trophy this year.

Frank Seravalli: For the first time since March 11, Connor McDavid wakes up not in the lead in the NHL scoring race. He was passed by Jonathan Huberdeau on Tuesday night thanks to a hat-trick in Florida’s win over the Islanders.

Both McDavid and Huberdeau have six games remaining this season. How would you handicap this scoring race? You look back just a few days ago, it was a huge favorite for McDavid in terms of the betting odds to skate away with the Art Ross. Not so much anymore.

Chris Gear: I still think McDavid comes out on top. He’s the type of player who would see Huberdeau vault him in the standings and he probably comes out on Wednesday and has a four- or five-point night. He’s that good and that competitive. He also holds the tiebreaker with more goals, if it comes down to that.

What can you say about Huberdeau? He’s had a phenomenal year, putting up 81 assists is something we haven’t seen in a long time. He deserves to be in the conversation, for sure.

Frank Seravalli: Don’t sleep on Johnny Gaudreau either. Five games to play and he’s just three points back of Huberdeau and two back of McDavid. It’s been a special season for Gaudreau. Every night it seems he’s doing something to make your jaw drop.

So, if you’re putting money down right now it would still be on McDavid?

Chris Gear: He’s the guy that’s done it before. I think most people would agree he’s the most talented player in the league. I just think he gets it done. I’m going to guy with the guy who’s done it before.

Frank Seravalli: I’m leaning towards Huberdeau. Part of it is their schedule and part of it is the way the Panthers have scored. You look at the six- and seven-goal games that they’ve put up on the board routinely over the past month, averaging north of four goals per game this season, on track to be the highest-scoring team in the salary cap era.

You can watch the full episode here…