Leon Draisaitl (Thomas Salus-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a33958f3-7595-4c5d-b0e5-47777906a50e.jpeg] Leon Draisaitl (Thomas Salus-Imagn Images) Eighty years ago today, Maurice 'Rocket' Richard set the gold standard for goals in an NHL season. He became the first player in history to record a 50-goal season. Since then, 98 other players have done it a total of 209 times. Some players have scored more, in some cases a lot more, but 50 goals remains the standard. When the Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/game-day/oilers-starting-lineup-today-another-new-look-against-utah] host the Utah Hockey Club [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah] on Tuesday, Leon Draisaitl will try to do it for the 210th time in NHL history. And he'll almost certainly be alone in 2024-25, meaning we'll have to wait at least another season until we see the 100th different 50-goal-man ever. Scoring by superstars, Draisaitl excluded, seems to have dried up this year. Auston Matthews [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/hes-driving-the-bus-captain-auston-matthews-impressively-leads-the-way-as-maple-leafs-snap-slump-with-dominant-win-over-flames], who led the league with 69 goals last season, will be lucky to get 30 this year. Sam Reinhart had 57 last season, just 33 to this point in 2024-25. Nathan MacKinnon, who had 51 last season, may win the Art Ross Trophy [https://thehockeynews.com/news/will-the-nhl-have-new-award-winners-in-2024-25] as the league's scoring champion, but it will be on the strength of a ton of assists. Even Draisaitl's teammates Zach Hyman (57 last year) and Connor McDavid are way down in their goal production. In fact, it seems Draisaitl is the only player on the Oilers who can be counted on to score these days. It will result in him running away with the trophy that bears Richard's name, but it puts a lot of pressure on one guy. Today's video column has more. On the 80th anniversary, to the day, of Rocket Richard becoming the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season, Leon Draisaitl tries to become what will likely be the only 50-goal man this season. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
