Connor McDavid, the Canadian star and Edmonton Oilers forward, delivers a standout performance by netting two goals in Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights during the NHL semi-finals. The late-season surge keeps the Oilers in the conversation as the series tightens and fans watch for a decisive moment on the ice.
Across the current playoffs, McDavid has tallied seven goals in 11 appearances, underscoring his ability to elevate his play when it matters most. He closed the regular season with an impressive 64 goals, a milestone that reinforced his status as one of the league’s premier scorers.
That scoring pace helped him surpass a storied record set by Alexander Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals captain, among the few players to accumulate more goals in a single season counting both regular season and playoffs in the 21st century. In the 2007/2008 campaign, Ovechkin reached 65 goals in the regular season and added four more in seven playoff games, a figure that stood as a benchmark for elite efficiency.
When the seasons are combined, the all-time mark for most goals in a single NHL season belongs to Wayne Gretzky, whose extraordinary 1983/84 run featured 100 goals in total—87 in 74 regular-season games and 13 in 19 playoff games—an achievement that continues to define greatness in the sport.
Ovechkin, for his part, faced a season where the Capitals did not advance to the playoffs, despite appearing in 74 league games and posting 42 goals with 33 assists. The context around that effort helps frame the comparison with McDavid’s recent exploits, highlighting how individual brilliance often meets team outcomes in the high-stakes environment of professional hockey.
Additionally, it was noted that Sergei Bobrovsky, the goalkeeper for the Florida Panthers, set a club record for saves in decisive matches, a reminder that goaltending feats can shape the outcomes of tight playoff races just as striking offense can. These performances collectively illustrate the dynamic balance between offense and defense that marks modern hockey, where legendary names are constantly tested against new limits.