Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has opened the NHL season in historic fashion, putting together the most prolific start of his 12-year professional career. Heading into Thursday night’s matchup against the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes at Rogers Place, McDavid has accumulated 26 points in just nine games.
His offensive output reached a new milestone during Tuesday’s victory over Minnesota, where he collected three assists to become the fastest player in league history to register 20 helpers in a single season. McDavid’s dominant stretch includes two five-point performances, one four-point night, and two three-point outings. He has yet to be held off the scoresheet in any game this season and boasts a plus-17 rating.
The Oilers as a team have mirrored their captain’s success, posting a 7-1-1 record under first-year head coach Mike Babcock. The last time Edmonton achieved a 7-1-1 start was during the 1983-1984 campaign, a season that kicked off a dynasty resulting in five championships in six years. Edmonton’s lone regulation loss so far came against the Utah Mammoth, who sit atop the Central Division, while their only other blemish was an overtime defeat in their season opener against Vancouver. The team has also been flawless on the road, winning all five away games for the best start away from home in franchise history.
Following Thursday’s contest against Carolina, the Oilers continue a five-game homestand featuring visits from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 26, and provincial rival Calgary Flames on Oct. 28.
McDavid’s individual dominance has been bolstered by a strong supporting cast. Defenceman Evan Bouchard paces all NHL blueliners with 18 points, sharing the lead among defencemen with Quinn Hughes by recording 11 assists. Leon Draisaitl has contributed eight goals and 16 points, while Vasily Podkolzin, skating on the top line alongside McDavid and Draisaitl, has chipped in seven goals. In the crease, Devon Levi has stepped into the starting role with a 5-1 record following an injury to Freddie Andersen.
“It all starts with Connor,” said teammate Zach Hyman, who has appeared in only two games this season due to injury. “He is the guy who drives the bus for us. When he plays the way he is playing it makes it easier for everybody else.”
Behind the bench, Babcock has brought a demanding style that the team’s leadership group sought during the off-season. Following a first-round playoff exit against Anaheim last year—preceded by two consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup finals where they fell to the Florida Panthers—senior players including McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins interviewed Babcock before his hiring.
“Connor has done everything that I have asked and he has done it in such a way that he seems to enjoy it,” Babcock said. “He takes pride in doing things right. It is impossible to coach a team when your best player isn’t driving it and he is driving it.”
McDavid, for his part, has deflected individual praise, pointing instead to collective execution. “I think the team is just playing well and when that happens you are going to have success throughout the lineup,” McDavid told reporters. “Everybody is playing well, paying attention to details and structure and playing hard. A lot of good things are happening.”
