Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers made history by becoming the first NHL player since Wayne Gretzky to record 100 assists in a season. McDavid achieved this milestone during a game against the San Jose Sharks, where the Oilers emerged victorious with a scoreline of 9-2.
The star player now joins an elite group of just four players in NHL history to reach over 100 assists in a single season, along with Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr. McDavid returned to the Oilers lineup after missing three games due to a lower-body injury and wasted no time in making an impact, contributing to Zach Hyman’s 54th goal of the season.
Expressing his pride in sharing this achievement with legendary players, McDavid highlighted that this year has been different but he and his team are pleased with their progress heading into the playoffs. This milestone also marks a significant personal achievement for McDavid, surpassing his previous career-high of 89 assists.
In the same game, McDavid also added a goal to his tally, bringing his total to 32 goals this season. Interestingly, Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov is not far behind McDavid, with 99 assists to his name this season. If Kucherov reaches the 100-assist mark as well, it would be the first time in 32 years that two players achieve this feat in a single season.
McDavid’s exceptional performance has not only solidified his status as one of the best players in the league but has also propelled the Oilers to a strong position as they gear up for the playoffs. With McDavid leading the charge, the Oilers are certainly a team to watch out for in the post-season.
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