The Edmonton Oilers’ season remains alive after a 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks that saw captain Connor McDavid eclipse yet another milestone. McDavid and his sidekick Leon Draisaitl put on a show in Game 5, sending the best-of-seven series back to Anaheim down just 3-2.
Connor McDavid in Elite Company Yet Again
In Game 5, Vasily Podkolzin and Zach Hyman opened the scoring, giving Edmonton a two-goal lead within the first ten minutes. Shortly after the hot start, the Oilers’ dynamic duo collaborated to push the lead to three.
Anaheim’s Alex Killorn eventually answered in the second period, but not even two minutes later, Draisaitl tallied his second of the night with McDavid providing the assist once more. The 4-1 lead proved insurmountable as Edmonton held onto it for the remainder of the tilt.
McDavid’s strong play is even more impressive given that he was a game-time decision. In Game 2, Edmonton’s leader sustained an ankle injury, leaving the three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner noticeably hobbling. Despite the bump, the 29-year-old was still able to etch his name amongst NHL legends.
McDavid’s two assists in Game 5 bring him to 25 points in games facing elimination, now joint-most amongst active NHL players.
Despite being hobbled, Connor McDavid came through once again with the Oilers’ backs against the wall pic.twitter.com/q6xFuactki
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 29, 2026
Sportsnet Stats marked the achievement in a graphic showing No. 97 now tied with future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane, both ahead of the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, Alex Ovechkin (24 points).
While every postseason game is obviously not an elimination game, the accomplishment is equally impressive given McDavid’s postseason experience (101 games) compared to Kane’s (143) and Ovechkin’s (161).
Staving off elimination is nothing new to Edmonton’s two brightest stars. In 2024, they came all the way back from down 3-0 against the Florida Panthers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. While they eventually fell in Game 7, McDavid and Draisaitl have their backs against the wall and refuse to go away lightly once again.
When it comes to the stat in question, the 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy winner will have a chance to take sole possession of first place when the Oilers travel to Anaheim for Game 6 on Thursday night.
If the young Ducks squad hopes to close out this series, getting off to a hot start on home ice may prove to be key. Puck drops from California on Thursday at 10 p.m. EST.
