A Man Scorned: We’ve Never Seen Connor McDavid Like This Before

Connor McDavid isn’t just playing well right now — he’s playing at a level even he’s never shown before in his wildly entertaining NHL career. Often known as McJesus because it seems like he can walk on water, the run No. 97 has produced over the past 12 games is almost beyond comprehension.

---

I used the word “wildly” on purpose. It was a game against the Minnesota Wild, after which the media questioned McDavid about his play and tendency to pass up shots. Since that game, he’s been on another planet, and Tuesday night against the Calgary Flames was the latest reminder about what he can do when he wants to.

At the time, head coach Kris Knoblauch noted, “I think he was disappointed with your guys’ coverage of his offensive ability, or not shooting the puck. Maybe that stirred it up.”

McDavid Wasn’t Just Stirred Up, He Took It Personally

Tuesday night, McDavid racked up five assists, pushed his season total to 67 points in just 38 games, and made a statement while the player he was chasing in Colorado (Nathan MacKinnon) went pointless. The Oilers didn’t just win — they dominated, and Sportsnet’s Mark Spector put it well when he asked Leon Draisaitl if there’s just a jet engine attached to McDavid that the rest of the team can hop behind. “He certainly tilts the game,” responded Draisaitl.

What’s happening in December is what really separates this stretch from every other hot run. In 11 games, McDavid has piled up 31 points. That’s not just league-leading production; that’s a pace that would land inside the NHL’s top 50 scorers over a full season — and he’s doing it in a single month. Even more telling, he hasn’t had a single pointless night on back-to-backs, at a time of year when most players are simply trying to survive the schedule.

Asked where the energy is coming from, McDavid’s answer was as casual as his dominance has been overwhelming. He likes the grind. He likes the routine. “The schedule suits me,” he said. And right now, it clearly does.

Keep This McDavid Line Together

On his own, McDavid is a sight to behold. Some credit should go to his linemates, whom McDavid is publicly petitioning to keep where they are. He is centering what looks like the best line in hockey, flanked by Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. As a trio, they control tempo and force opponents to chase all night.

This is the kind of line that will have some people asking if Team Canada should consider all three players for the Olympics and just put them together.

Most importantly, the Oilers are 8-2-1 during this McDavid explosion. His being the shooter and driver that he wanted to be when he made comments about goal-scoring at the start of the season has launched Edmonton from the middle of the pack to tied for first in the Pacific.

McDavid has always been great. Right now, though, he looks untouchable — and the rest of the league is just trying to keep up.

Next: NHL Be Ready: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl Sends a Clear Demand