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Red-hot Draisaitl chirps critics: People think 'I can only play with Connor'

Gregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / Getty

Even with Connor McDavid sidelined, Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl continues to play at an MVP level, and he knows it.

Draisaitl bagged three points Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes, giving him 10 in four games with McDavid sidelined and extending his lead in the league scoring race.

"According to a lot of people out there, I can't play on my own; I can only play with Connor," Draisaitl said after the win, according to The Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman.

"We're showing the hockey world ... that we're not a one-man team," the 24-year-old added.

Edmonton has won three of four games without McDavid, and Sunday's 4-3 overtime victory gave the Oilers a one-point lead over the Vancouver Canucks for first place in the Pacific Division. The Oilers and Canucks each have 23 regular-season contests remaining.

Draisaitl now has 95 points (34 goals, 61 assists) on the season - 13 points clear of the pack.

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