Oilers' McDavid Nears 1,000 Factors, However Patrick Roy Will not Examine Him To Gretzky And Lemieux

Thursday night time, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid can write his identify on a brand new web page within the NHL historical past books.

After a four-point efficiency towards the New York Islanders on Tuesday night time in a 4-3 overtime win, the 27-year-old celebrity is one level shy from reaching the 1,000-point milestone.

He can attain that mark towards the Nashville Predators on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, a workforce he’s dominated over his profession with 41 factors (12 objectives, 29 assists) in simply 23 video games towards them.

By 658 profession video games, the 2015 first-overall choice by Edmonton has 340 objectives and 659 assists over his 10 years within the NHL.

Whether or not he will get to 1,000 factors on Thursday or not, McDavid will virtually definitely grow to be the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to succeed in that mark. He has 24 video games to get one level and beat Peter Stastny, who reached 1,000 factors in 682 video games.

Hockey Corridor of Famers Wayne Gretzky (424 video games), Mario Lemieux (513) and Mike Bossy (656) are the one three to succeed in that milestone quicker.

Islanders coach and Corridor of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy confronted the three of them throughout their enjoying days, however extra so Gretzky and Lemieux. Tuesday was simply his third time teaching towards McDavid within the NHL.

“I am not going to check him with the opposite guys,” Roy told reporters in Edmonton earlier than puck drop on Tuesday morning. “I feel it is unfair. It’s a distinct period. However one factor I’ll say, I imply, he is a very good participant. He skates effectively, he sees the ice effectively, assaults the online and is able to defending effectively. For these causes, he’s the place he’s now.”

Groups just like the Islanders do what they’ll to attempt to comprise him, however irrespective of the preparation, most groups undergo the identical destiny.

That four-point effort against the Islanders to drag inside one level of 1,000 showcased precisely why he’s been in a position to rack up the factors as shortly as he has.

Simply 35 seconds into the second interval of a 0-0 recreation, McDavid danced into the slot on the ability play earlier than feeding Leon Draisaitl on the cash inside the correct dot for a one-time end for level No. 996.

Then it was McDavid who hustled to trace down a free puck within the opening minute of the third interval earlier than a D-to-D go noticed Evan Bouchard wire one in for level No. 997.

Playmaking is definitely a McDavid specialty. However an aggressive play alongside the half wall within the Islanders zone, adopted by a give-and-go with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, allowed him to get off a sneaky backhander from the low slot for level No. 998.

After which, in additional time, McDavid wasted no time, hopping off the bench earlier than he discovered Draisaitl reducing to the again submit for the game-winner and level No. 999.

There’s no scenario on the ice the place McDavid can’t thrive.

“I do not bear in mind the primary time I noticed him play, however I have been seeing him quite a bit these days,” Roy stated. “I may let you know that he is acquired a lot velocity and expertise. We had been watching performs on the ability play, strikes that he may make, and even on 5-on-5, while you let him decide up the puck with velocity, he is positively a really harmful participant.”

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