McDavid’s Major Achievement
Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid reached a significant milestone on Monday night, recording his 100th assist of the season in a dominant 9-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. This remarkable achievement placed him in an exclusive club, a feat accomplished by only three other players in NHL history. Shortly after, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning joined McDavid in this elite group on Wednesday during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Joining Hockey Legends
With this latest accomplishment, McDavid and Kucherov now stand alongside legends Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Mario Lemieux as the only players to record 100 assists in a single season. McDavid’s pivotal assist came as he set up Zach Hyman for his 54th goal of the season, extending the Oilers’ lead to 9-1. McDavid expressed admiration for the company he now keeps, saying, “Those guys are the best to ever play this game, and it’s amazing to be mentioned alongside them.”
Kucherov’s Contribution
Kucherov reached his 100th assist just one game after McDavid, following his 99th assist in a prior game against the Buffalo Sabres. He achieved the milestone with a critical power-play assist on Brayden Point’s goal in the second period, giving the Lightning a 4-1 lead. This performance further solidified Kucherov’s status as one of the league’s top playmakers.
Historical Context
Wayne Gretzky, the all-time leading scorer in NHL history, reached the 100-assist mark an astonishing 11 times during his career. He holds the record for most assists in a single season, with 163 assists in the 1985–86 season, and was the last player to hit 100 assists before McDavid, achieving it with 121 assists in the 1990–91 season. Mario Lemieux recorded 114 assists in the 1988-89 season, while Bobby Orr, regarded as one of the greatest defensemen ever, achieved 102 assists in the 1970-71 season. Now, McDavid and Kucherov have etched their names into this prestigious list.
Admirable Achievements
These milestones are the latest accomplishments for McDavid and Kucherov. At just 27, McDavid, the first overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, is on track to become one of the game’s all-time greats. He has won the MVP award three times and has been voted MVP by players four times. McDavid has led the NHL in scoring five times in his first eight seasons. Last season, he broke the salary cap record with 153 points, leading the league in both goals (64) and assists (89). This season, he has amassed 132 points with one game remaining.
Kucherov, the 2018-19 league MVP, also led the league in scoring that season and is on pace to repeat that success this year with 144 points. He was a key factor in the Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup wins.
A Bright Future Ahead
The achievements of Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov not only highlight their individual talent but also mark a new era in the NHL, where top players continue to reach new heights. As both players celebrate their milestones, hockey fans can look forward to more spectacular performances from these two superstars in seasons to come.
