Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers might lose out on his opportunity to be the first player in 34 years to hit absurd milestone.
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers might lose out on his opportunity to be the first player in 34 years to hit absurd milestone.
EDMONTON -- If Connor McDavid doesn't play tonight, he'll be missing out.
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The Edmonton Oilers superstar would be missing out on the opportunity to become the first player in 34 years to reach 100 assists in a regular season. The last time it was reached some guy named Wayne Gretzky had 122 assists - which I hear is pretty good.
The only two other players to hit that mark are Mario Lemieux in 1988-89, when he hit 114 and Bobby Orr - who tallied 102 assists in the 1970-71 season.
That makes what is happening this season so mind-blowing. McDavid is sitting at 99 assists for the 2023-24 season. If he rests, he'll have to wait until Friday at the earliest to hit the historic benchmark.
To add the cherry on top of this preverbial cake - he isn't the only player sniffing out that accomplishment. Nikita Kucherov is sitting at 96 assists, with four games remaining. The Lightning have games against the Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Without a doubt I expect Kucherov to hit this mark - potentially tomorrow night against the Senators. Bragging rights are at stake here, for McDavid to lay claim to this incredible feat. If he doesn't play tonight he could play on Friday against the Salt Lake...er..Arizona Coyotes.
That would certainly be one way to steal McDavid's thunder.
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