The Edmonton Oilers unprecedented leader Connor McDavid has eclipsed another offensive standard by collecting 100 assists in 2023-24. It was a bit touch-and-go for a couple games, as his status was up in the air with a lower-body injury. Conversely, once McDavid got back into the lineup tonight, you knew he’d be ready to go. He even scored his 32nd goal just 53 seconds into the game. Moreover, this year has definitely confirmed the trend of increased scoring output seen over the past three seasons, as the 100-assist feat is a prime example of this fact. Furthermore, the Tampa Bay Lightning sniper, Nikita Kucherov, enjoyed similar type of success thus far. Prior to the 2023-24 campaign, only three players had ever reached 100 assists in a single season. Those three were Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr. McDavid got a stretch pass from Darnell Nurse, and carried it in the zone, to pass to Zach Hyman. Hyman’s 54th of the year was the one that got McDavid a 100 apples.
100 ASSISTS FOR CONNOR 🍎
Connor McDavid (@cmcdavid97) becomes the first player to record 100 assists in a season since @WayneGretzky in 1990-91! pic.twitter.com/eG0QouA4XB
— NHL (@NHL) April 16, 2024
Connor McDavid Records 100 Assists in a Season for the First Time
For Connor McDavid reaching 100 assists, it shouldn’t really come as a surprise from a statistical outlier point-of-view. Last season, he had 89 assists, and the 15th best point total in NHL history (153). Only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Steve Yzerman ever had more points in a single season. Additionally, McDavid is a career, over-an-assist-a-game player. Therefore, this type of production has come to be expected of him. And so far, there’s no indication of him slowing down, as he appears to be in the middle of his peak offensive production years.
The Team Remains Focused on Springtime Hockey
The Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid are accustomed to the spotlight. However, there’s one thing they want, and that’s cup rings. The Oilers were cautious with McDavid’s recent injury status, because ultimately they want him ready for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, set to begin Saturday night, April 20th. McDavid and his team need to be firing on all cylinders. Of course, with such an impressive assist total, recognition must be given where it is due. McDavid plays with Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Leon Draisaitl quite regularly. Hyman, as he was tonight, especially has been a benefactor, with a career-high goal total, surpassing 50 for the first time in his career. The Oilers will need secondary scoring come playoffs, but if the top guns can produce at high-rate, it will make a long playoff run possible.
Main photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
