McDavid, Oilers make history in win over Penguins
On a nightly basis, Oilers center Connor McDavid does something special and this season has been no exception. He just keeps getting better which is a scary proposition for the rest of the NHL. Having set a career-high in points (118) with two assists against Columbus on Sunday, he upped the ante Tuesday in Pittsburgh with his 22nd career four-point game and 45th multi-point game of the season, the first player since Jaromir Jagr in 1995-96, in the Oilers 5-1 win.
McDavid also became just the fifth player in the past 20 years to record 120 points in a season, joining Nikita Kucherov (128 in 2018-19), Joe Thornton (125 in 2005-06), Jagr (123 in 2005-06) and Sidney Crosby (120 in 2006-07). On the same night Auston Matthews reached the 60 goal mark, McDavid staked his claim for a third Hart Trophy and second consecutive.
With the Oilers win, they became the 13th team to reach 100 points this season, a new NHL record. The previous high was 12 in 2014-15. They will face a familiar opponent in the postseason as they will host the LA Kings for the 8th time, in their first matchup in 30 years.
McDavid is seeking his fourth Art Ross trophy which would put him in elite company. Only six players have 4+ scoring titles: Wayne Gretzky (10), Mario Lemieux (6), Gordie Howe (6), Phil Esposito (5), Jagr (5) and Stan Mikita (4). He currently has 122 points, seven ahead of Florida's Jonathan Huberdeau.
| POLL | ||
Who is your Hart Trophy winner? | ||
| McDavid | 52 | 30.8 % |
| Matthews | 56 | 33.1 % |
| Shesterkin | 61 | 36.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
