Connor McDavid is one point shy of his fifth consecutive 100-point season and the eighth of his career.
Only three players in NHL history have produced eight 100-point seasons: Marcel Dionne (8), Mario Lemieux (10), and Wayne Gretzky (15). McDavid should be given the opportunity to join that club tonight.
McDavid is among the truly elite players in NHL history. Major milestones matter, and they matter more than worrying about whether a player will get injured or not. I don’t buy into the theory that the Oilers should rest him to avoid injury. If that was the case, then why did he play Sunday in Winnipeg? How is playing in game #80 safer than playing in game No. 82? I don’t believe it is.
Kris Knoblauch has the responsibility to oversee McDavid’s career, and because of that he has to be aware of major milestones like 100 points. If this was only the second or third time he could reach 100 points, it might be different, but McDavid has a very realistic chance to pass Lemieux for the second most 100-point seasons, and he could challenge Gretzky. It would be the wrong decision to not give him the opportunity to score one point.
McDavid is wired to compete. He loves playing. He loves practicing, which was evident yesterday when he was one of only four players on the ice for the optional practice with Leon Draisaitl, John Klingberg and Quinn Hutson. After practice he made a point of discussing injuries.
“Guys are healthier than it may seem,” said McDavid. “I think we kind of have this aura around us that we’re the walking wounded. But we’re just fine. I don’t like this whole notion that we’re the walking wounded here. We’re ready to roll.”
McDavid doesn’t want to hear excuses. He doesn’t want people focusing on their injuries, and he doesn’t like how many pundits, and even fans of the Oilers, are declaring them done before the playoffs begin.
“I just don’t like the theory that people are counting us out. We’re a great team here,” McDavid said defiantly. “Bumps and bruises along the way? Obviously, but we’re a dangerous team when we’re rolling and healthy — and we are healthy. I think you’ll see that over the next little while and (we’re) looking forward to showing that.”
Mattias Ekholm won’t play in round one vs. Los Angeles, but he is the only player who is guaranteed unavailable. Trent Frederic is questionable for the opening game, but he expects to be available during the series. McDavid doesn’t want injuries to be a talking point heading into the series.
“Who’s to say what’s bad and what’s good,” said McDavid in response to how he views the rash of injuries. “Maybe it’s good. Everyone’s going to be rested. Would it have been nice to get some games with a full lineup? Sure … but like I said, not everything is as it seems.”
He said he feels the best he’s felt in a while.
“I’ve felt, personally, night and day better from before the injury, just in terms of rest. Not getting a break there with the Four Nations, which I’m not complaining about at all, I feel night and day better since the injury. I’m sure Leon’s going to feel the same way.”
McDavid missed eight games with an injury, but he returned and scored nine points in three games. It took him a period to find his legs, but after that, he was a force. He was a threat on most shifts. He produced consecutive three-point games for only the second time this season and first since November 9th and 12th. McDavid was slowed by a nagging injury, but since returning, he’s looked great, and considering how dominant he has been the past three playoffs, it would be foolish to bet against him dominating again.
The previous three playoff seasons he’s totaled 95 points in 53 games (1.79 points/game). His 42 points in 25 games last season, was his second best most productive playoff, after scoring 33 points in 16 games in 2023. And he’s declared himself fully healthy.
He even got to rest Monday v. LA. I see no reason to not dress him tonight. Knoblauch can make an easy compromise. You can play until you pick up point 100, then you rest, or at least limit your icetime.
Last year, McDavid played in games 80 and 81 and rested the final game. He had no personal milestone to chase, so it made sense to rest him. They already gave him one game off, so I’d play him tonight and let him reach the century mark.
The milestone might not seem that important today, but it will down the road. Knoblauch shouldn’t overlook that.
Apr 3, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown (28) scores against San Jose Sharks goaltender Georgi Romanov (31) in the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
SNAPSHOTS…
— Last year, Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and Sam Bennett each had two points in the Panthers’ season finale. Some teams have won by resting guys, while others have played their full lineup and went on to win. Sitting out guys if they are banged up makes sense, but McDavid is healthy. Play him.
— As I write this Wednesday morning, the Oilers and Kings are still waiting for their schedule. Here is what we know.
The LA Lakers play at home in LA on Saturday (19th) and Tuesday (22nd), so no NHL games those night. I was told Game 2 of Kings/Oilers series is likely Wednesday (23rd) which leaves the NHL the option to play Game 1 this Sunday (20th) or Monday (21st). TV has a big say.
With Game 2 being on Wednesday and the fact that the Lakers have Game 5 scheduled for Wednesday, the 30th, it would make sense to play Games 3 and 4 in Edmonton on April 25th (Friday) and the 27th (Sunday). The NHL likes to avoid back-to-back games, so the above makes sense in that regard, but TV has a significant influence on the schedule and the odd time we’ve seen a BTB. Remember in 2021 when Edmonton and Winnipeg played back-to-back and both games went to O,T including Game 4 needing triple OT.
My hunch is Game 1 will be Sunday and Game 2 on Wednesday.
— Darnell Nurse was suspended one game for cross-checking Quinton Byfield. He will sit out tonight, and the Oilers recalled Connor Carrick on an emergency basis. The suspension means very little, except to Nurse, as it will cost him $48,177. Ouch. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
— The Oilers and Kings combined for a season-high 14 power-play opportunities on Monday. LA had eight while the Oilers had six. Only four other games this season featured a team getting eight PPO.
Ottawa had nine while Calgary had two on November 25th.
Ottawa had eight and Minnesota had three on February 1st.
The New York Islanders had eight and LA had one on March 11th.
Carolina had eight and Washington had four on April 2nd.
Ottawa had eight and Minnesota had three on February 1st.
The New York Islanders had eight and LA had one on March 11th.
Carolina had eight and Washington had four on April 2nd.
— Quinn Hutson logged 14:27 of TOI, but he led all Oilers forwards in 5×5 TOI at 14:10. Knoblauch made sure to give the youngster playing time, despite not being on either special team unit. Max Jones played the second most among forwards with 11:35 of TOI at 5×5. Hutson and other depth forwards will see more ice time tonight, because it is almost impossible, we will see 14 total power plays.
— Fun facts about McDavid’s quest for an 8th season with 100 points. He’d be the fourth with eight seasons of 100 points. Only 28 players have four, 21 have five, 17 players (including Leon Draisaitl) have six, and only six players have done it seven times.
If he scores one point tonight, he will have more 100-point seasons himself than 18 NHL organizations, and he’ll be tied with two others.
Zero: Columbus, Nashville, New Jersey, Seattle, Utah and Vegas.
One: Minnesota and Winnipeg/Atlanta.
Two: Florida and San Jose.
Three: Ottawa.
Four: Anaheim.
Five: Carolina/Hartford and Dallas/Minnesota.
Six: Buffalo.
Seven: New York Rangers, Toronto and Washington.
Eight: Tampa Bay and Vancouver.
One: Minnesota and Winnipeg/Atlanta.
Two: Florida and San Jose.
Three: Ottawa.
Four: Anaheim.
Five: Carolina/Hartford and Dallas/Minnesota.
Six: Buffalo.
Seven: New York Rangers, Toronto and Washington.
Eight: Tampa Bay and Vancouver.
LINEUPS…
Oilers
J. Skinner– McDavid – C. Brown
Podkolzin – RNH – Arvidsson
Perry– Henrique – Kapanen
Podkolzin – RNH – Arvidsson
Perry– Henrique – Kapanen
Jones – Janmark – Hutson
Dineen – Bouchard
Kulak – Emberson
J. Brown
Kulak – Emberson
J. Brown
Skinner
This is my projection assuming McDavid is playing. The line combinations don’t mean much as the playoff roster will look much different. We could also see another player return to the lineup tonight as well. We will update the lineup after the morning skate, which ends around 1 p.m. MT.
Because McDavid draws in the Oilers can’t use Carrick, as he was an emergency recall player and since Edmonton is dressing someone who wasn’t in the lineup last game, then Carrick can’t play.
*Lines updated. Swapped Hutson and Kapanen..**
Sharks
Kovalenko – Celebrini – Smith
Eklund – Wennberg – T0ffoli
Gregor – Goodrow – Grundstrom
Gushchin – Dellandrea – Lund
Thurn – Liljegren
Carlsson – Cagnoni
Vlasic – Schuldt
Georgiev
The Sharks’ blueline is decimated with five injuries. They will miss the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season. They are a long way from being competitive, but did have a few bright spots with the play of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.
TONIGHT…
GAME DAY PREDICTION: Oilers win 4-2.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: McDavid picks up his 100th point.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Josh Brown picks up a point.
