McDavid’s blistering start
By Ryan Goulden on December 15, 2022
The Edmonton Oilers are 30 games into the season, and Connor McDavid is producing at a rate the NHL has not seen since the mid-’90s. McDavid recorded 4 points in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over Nashville, raising his point total to 59 in 30 games, producing at nearly a two-point per game clip. McDavid’s 59 points is the most through 30 games since 1995-96 when Mario Lemieux scored 78. McDavid is currently leading the NHL in points and is running away with it. He is 15 points ahead of the next non-Oiler, Tage Thompson (44 points), with teammate Leon Draisaitl not far behind with 51. The Oilers captain also leads in goals (26) and assists (33).
McDavid is on pace for 161 points which would shatter his career high in points (123), which he set in the 2021-22 season. Barring any injury (knock on wood), it wouldn’t surprise anybody if he eclipses the 150-point plateau for the first time in his career. McDavid would be the first player to reach that mark since Mario Lemieux scored 161 in just 70 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nikita Kucherov was the closest player to reach the 150 mark when he scored 128 in 82 games during the 2018-19 season.
For the Oilers, it’s been a season of inconsistency. They started the season 7-3 before dropping the next 7 of 10. The club has won 7 of their last ten while playing some of their best hockey during that stretch.