Connor McDavid, the standout player for the Edmonton Oilers and a frontrunner for the Hart Trophy, entered the annals of NHL history on Monday night by reaching his 100th assist of the season during the second period against the San Jose Sharks.
This milestone places McDavid in esteemed company, as the feat hadn’t been achieved since Wayne Gretzky in the 1990–91 season when the legendary player notched 122 assists with the Los Angeles Kings.
McDavid now joins Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr as one of only four players in NHL history to accomplish the remarkable feat of 100 assists in a single season. Gretzky boasts an astounding 11 such seasons, while Lemieux and Orr each have one to their name.
McDavid’s 100th assist came in spectacular fashion, as he skillfully navigated a two-on-one break with teammate Zach Hyman, eluding a defender with a deft stick move before setting up Hyman for a prime scoring opportunity in front of the net. This connection between McDavid and Hyman has become a familiar sight for Edmonton fans throughout the season, and it’s fitting that it played a pivotal role in securing McDavid’s place in hockey history.
McDavid’s 100 assists in a season highlights not only his individual brilliance but also his ability to uplift the performance of his teammates and drive the success of the Oilers. The synergy between McDavid and Hyman exemplifies the effectiveness of their partnership on the ice, with each player complementing the other’s strengths to create scoring opportunities.
As the NHL season nears its conclusion, there remains the possibility of another player reaching the 100-assist milestone. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov is on the cusp, sitting at 99 assists after a recent game against the Buffalo Sabres.