As the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals kick off this Saturday night from South Florida, one player continues his personal pursuit of the history books. It’s hard to imagine when any Wayne Gretzky scoring record is in jeopardy. For example, the single season record of 163 assists in a regular season held by Gretzky. And we thought Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid hitting 100 this season was impressive, and it all fairness, it was extremely impressive. However, breaking a Gretzky scoring record is exactly the position that Edmonton Oiler captain Connor McDavid finds himself in. McDavid begins his chase tonight against the Florida Panthers.
Whos Stats Chase is More Impressive: Connor McDavid’s 100 Assists or Auston Matthew’s 70 Goals?
Could Connor McDavid Break the Record for Playoff Assists?
You must be asking yourself, what is this Gretzky scoring record that could be toppled? The record comes from all the way back to 99’s last post-season as a member of the Oilers. In the 1987-88 playoffs, Gretzky had an incredible 12 goals, and 31 assists for 43 points. The record in question is for most assists (31) in a single post-season.
Connor McDavid currently has an incredible 26 assists through 18 games over three rounds of playoff action. If he maintains his pace, it’s highly probable, regardless of the series outcome, he will break the record. Case in point, if the series only goes four games, McDavid is on pace to break the record at 32. However, if the series extends to seven, McDavid would smash Gretzky’s record with 36. We say regardless of the series outcome, because rain or shine, win or lose, the Oilers captain always seems to find the scoresheet.
Other Oilers Approach Individual Playoff Records
And while we are on the topic, a couple of other Oilers are in the running for more post-season infamy. The vaunted 1976 Philadelphia Flyers featured Reggie Leach. He had perhaps an unreachable scoring rate that playoff with 19 goals in just 16 games. In contrast, what is attainable by Edmonton’s Zach Hyman is the goal total. Hyman currently has 14 goals, and if he maintains his pace, potentially through a six-game series, he would tie Leach with 19.
Lastly, Evan Bouchard has a shot at standing alone on the blueline, the blueline of record books that is. Through 18 games, he has an impressive 27 points. Paul Coffey, in 1985, of course playing with none other than the Edmonton Oilers, is the current single-season, playoff point record holder by a defenceman. He had an astonishing 37 points in just 18 games. Again, like Hyman, Bouchard can’t approach that per-game rate, but if the series goes six, he’s on pace to be just one shy, at 36. One last point on the justification for using six games for Hyman and Bouchard’s pace. That is, if the Oilers are to capture the cup, you’d think game six in Edmonton would be a great opportunity. Furthermore, they won’t have that chance if their players don’t continue to do what they’ve been doing to get them that far. Bouchard and Hyman are a big part of the Oilers offence, and the team as a whole, and will need to continue to be if the Oilers are hosting the 2024 Stanley Cup!
The Series Preview of Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers for the 2024 Stanley Cup
Main photo credit: Porter Binks/USA TODAY NETWORK
