McDavid became the fourth fastest player to reach 1,000 points achieving the milestone in 659 games played.
On Thursday, Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid joined some elite company, becoming the fourth fastest (659GP) and fourth youngest (27 years, 306 days) to reach the 1,000-point milestone in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Nashville Predators.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare to host the Oilers on Saturday, McDavid’s presence looms large. For up-and-comer Matthew Knies, the opportunity poses as both a thrill and a challenge.
“Yeah, I mean, it's pretty nerve-wracking,” Knies admitted after practice at Ford Performance Centre on Friday. “Obviously, he's really skilled, really fast, so you just don't want to get beat and try to limit his offense. But he's a pleasure to watch. But yeah, it's pretty nerve-wracking playing against him.”
The accolades speak for themselves: five-time Art Ross Trophy winner, three-time Hart Memorial Trophy recipient, four-time Ted Lindsay Award winner, and a Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy under his belt. Even in defeat during last spring’s Stanley Cup Final, McDavid earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, helping push the series against the Florida Panthers to a game seven despite trailing 3-0.
Knies is not the only player in the National Hockey League to feel this way. Many who face McDavid, a player capable of tilting the ice with his speed, vision, and creativity echo the same sentiments. His ability to dictate play has been particularly effective against Toronto.
According to Statmuse.com, McDavid recorded four points (4A) in two games against the Maple Leafs last season. Over his career, he’s tallied 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points in 23 games against the blue and white.
The Oilers arrive in Toronto riding a three-game win streak, led by McDavid’s milestone and seven points (3G, 6A) over that stretch. For the Maple Leafs, the key to success will be focused on containing the 27-year-old while maintaining their own momentum from a third-period comeback in Washington on Wednesday.
“I think we had a slow start. I think by the end of the second or the third period, we really figured out our game and just kind of held it in the O-zone for a little longer,” Knies explained. “Our D got shots through from the point. I think we just did a good job capitalizing on our chances.
Like many matchups in the past, Saturday’s matchup promises to be a tightly contested game in a showdown between two of the NHL’s most valuable franchises.