The Edmonton Oilers have spent this season showing that they respond well after setbacks, holding one of the league’s best records following a loss. As they battle through a tight Pacific Division race and manage late-season lineup issues, their identity continues to revolve around their captain’s influence.
With the playoffs approaching, a recent surge from Connor McDavid has pushed the conversation beyond MVP talk and into historic territory. His latest performance not only strengthened Edmonton’s position but also placed him in a rare statistical tier ahead of the combined mark set by Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.
Connor McDavid’s 5-Point Surge Tops Crosby, Ovechkin Combined
McDavid delivered one of the most complete individual efforts of the season, recording a hat trick with two assists in a 5-2 win over San Jose. He factored in on every goal, dictating pace and controlling possession from the opening minutes while pushing Edmonton into sole control of first place in the Pacific Division.
He scored his first goal on the power play and kept building momentum through the second period, adding two more goals to stretch the lead. Along the way, he also set up goals for Vasily Podkolzin and Jack Roslovic, helping the Oilers convert on all three power-play chances in a sharp turnaround for that unit.
The night carried added weight beyond the box score, as a post shared by FanDuel pointed to a rare benchmark. It pointed out that McDavid now has 14 games with five or more points since 2000, while Ovechkin and Crosby have 10 combined in that span.
The comparison underlined how often McDavid produces elite scoring bursts in a league where such games are uncommon.
San Jose had an early push, with Macklin Celebrini opening the scoring on the power play, but Edmonton responded fast. Celebrini, who later praised McDavid, accepted the challenge of defending him, saying, “He’s the best player in the league, and he’s also the fastest… if you don’t really slow him down, he’s just gonna skate by you.”
In goal, Connor Ingram handled two periods before Tristan Jarry closed the game with a clean third. The Oilers’ depth chipped in, but the result was completely influenced by McDavid’s ability to take over shifts and create offense on demand.
Another note from Sportsnet Stats showed Edmonton is now 22-11-4 following a loss, one of the better marks in the league. This trend shows a group that responds, often led by its captain, driving the standard.
With 90 points, the Oilers are narrowly ahead in the division, with Vegas and Anaheim still within reach. As they prepare for a key matchup against Los Angeles, McDavid’s form will continue to shape the story.
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