One of the NHL’s most exclusive clubs needs to make room for Connor McDavid.
He became the first player in 27 years to reach 150 points in a season with two goals and an assist in the Edmonton Oilers’ 6-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
His milestone day was capped with a video tribute in the Oilers locker room containing congratulatory messages from the other members of the 150-point club: Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Phil Esposito, Steve Yzerman and Bernie Nichols.
Photo: AP
“I haven’t put a tonne of thought into it,” McDavid said about the milestone. “The guys kind of put a little video together of all the other five guys that have done it. It kind of hit me. That was special. To hear from all five was amazing.”
McDavid set up Ryan Nugent-Hopkins early in the first period for his 87th assist and scored with 1 minute, 44 seconds left in the first period for his 63rd goal to reach the milestone last achieved by Lemieux when he scored 161 points in the 1995-1996 season.
McDavid added another goal late in the third period to give him 64 goals and 151 points with two games remaining in the regular season.
“A special player joined an elite group of players in the history of the game,” Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft said. “Obviously what drives him is making sure that the team wins. That’s a big reason why we won today.”
McDavid needs five points in the final two games to pass the single-season highs for Esposito, Yzerman and Nichols.
He then would trail only Gretzky (nine seasons with at least 160 points) and Lemieux (four seasons with at least 160 points).
“I can’t say enough things about him,” linemate Zach Hyman said. “Obviously just the best player in the world, and just continues to push his own envelope and continues to make himself better and make our team better.”
Hyman, Derek Ryan and Philip Broberg also scored to help the Oilers win their seventh straight game. Edmonton, which began the day three points ahead of third-place Los Angeles in the Pacific Division, closed in on clinching home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Stuart Skinner made 22 saves.
Tomas Hertl scored for the Sharks, who are assured of finishing in the bottom four of the league. James Reimer had 30 saves.
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