Connor McDavid extended his season-opening scoring streak to 18 games on Saturday, November 7, helping the Edmonton Oilers secure a 4-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The Oilers captain now leads the NHL with 47 points, including 10 goals and 37 assists. His remarkable start has brought Wayne Gretzky's historic scoring records back into the conversation, with McDavid producing numbers that could put him in position to challenge some of hockey's most celebrated achievements.
McDavid's Remarkable Scoring Run
McDavid entered the Vancouver matchup with points in each of Edmonton's first 17 games. His performance against the Canucks extended that run to 18, making it the longest season-opening point streak among active NHL players.
The 29-year-old has already surpassed his previous season-opening mark of 17 consecutive games, which he recorded in 2021-22. That earlier achievement was shared with Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander, who also opened the 2023-24 campaign with points in 17 straight games.
McDavid's current production is even more impressive when measured against the rest of the league. His 47 points are the NHL's highest total, while his 37 assists alone represent an exceptional contribution to Edmonton's offense. He has created scoring opportunities for teammates while continuing to find the net himself.
The Key Details
McDavid's latest milestone follows an extraordinary performance against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. Despite Edmonton losing that game 5-4, he recorded four points, scoring a shorthanded goal and providing three assists. It was his fifth game of the season with at least four points.
His numbers have continued to attract attention because of the historical pace they suggest. Before the Vancouver game, McDavid had recorded 44 points in 17 appearances. That production placed him on pace for a projected 217-point season, exceeding the NHL single-season record of 215 points set by Wayne Gretzky in 1985-86.
That projection is not a guaranteed final total, but it illustrates just how productive McDavid has been. His personal best remains 153 points, recorded during the 2022-23 season, a figure that already ranks 15th in NHL history.
His 18-game streak also brings him closer to his own career-best single-season point streak of 20 games, achieved last season with 36 points during that stretch.
Why McDavid's Start Is Attracting Attention
The comparison with Gretzky has become increasingly difficult to avoid. The NHL legend discussed McDavid's performances on Friday while attending a Hockey Hall of Fame event honoring his late father, Walter Gretzky.
Gretzky praised the Oilers captain's contribution to Edmonton and his determination to win the Stanley Cup. He also acknowledged that McDavid could potentially challenge his famous 51-game point streak, established during the 1983-84 season.
“If anybody can do it, it’s him, right?”
Gretzky's record has stood for decades. He established it across four months in 1983-84, surpassing Guy Lafleur's previous mark of 28 consecutive games with a point. Even Gretzky recalled feeling that reaching 51 games was a substantial challenge when his own streak was underway.
McDavid's current run is nowhere near that record yet, but his scoring rate has made the possibility a legitimate talking point. The immediate challenge is maintaining his production through a long NHL schedule, where even a single game without a point can end a streak.
What It Means for the Edmonton Oilers
McDavid's production gives Edmonton a major offensive advantage, particularly alongside Leon Draisaitl, who had 31 points heading into the November 6 game against Anaheim. McDavid's 34 assists at that stage exceeded the entire point total of every other NHL player, including his teammate.
The Oilers' victory over Vancouver was also valuable after a difficult stretch. Edmonton had lost its previous two games, recording one overtime loss and one regulation defeat. The 4-2 result improved the team's record to 12-3-3.
Leon Draisaitl scored twice against Vancouver, including a power-play goal assisted by McDavid and a late empty-net goal. Jason Dickinson and Mattias Ekholm also scored, while goaltender Devon Levi made 20 saves.
McDavid's influence extends beyond his individual statistics. His ability to create opportunities for Draisaitl and the rest of the lineup makes Edmonton's attack more difficult to contain. Sustaining that production could be particularly valuable as the Oilers pursue their season ambitions.
Reactions and What Comes Next
McDavid's recent performances have attracted attention for more than their offensive numbers. Thursday's game against Anaheim also produced a controversial incident when Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson collided with McDavid, sending him into the goalpost.
McDavid briefly left the ice to be evaluated before returning to the game. The collision prompted teammate Vasily Podkolzin to confront Helleson. Podkolzin received a fighting major, an instigating penalty, an aggressor penalty and a game misconduct, while Helleson received a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct.
McDavid has previously suffered significant injuries in similar goal-area collisions. During his rookie season in 2015-16, he broke his left clavicle after crashing into the end boards. In 2018-19, he sustained a small tear to the PCL ligament in his left knee after colliding with a goalpost. The latest incident did not result in a reported injury, allowing him to continue his scoring run.
His immediate challenge is to keep producing while helping Edmonton build on its victory over Vancouver. The gap between his current 18-game streak and Gretzky's 51-game record remains substantial, but McDavid's extraordinary opening to the 2026-27 season has already made the chase one of the NHL's most compelling individual storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many consecutive games has Connor McDavid scored a point in?
McDavid has recorded at least one point in 18 consecutive games to open the 2026-27 NHL season, following Edmonton's November 7 victory over Vancouver.
How many points does Connor McDavid have this season?
He has 47 points, consisting of 10 goals and 37 assists, making him the NHL's leading scorer in the supplied November 8 standings.
Can Connor McDavid break Wayne Gretzky's 51-game point streak?
McDavid is receiving attention as a potential challenger to Gretzky's record, which was established during the 1983-84 season. Gretzky himself said McDavid has the ability to make a run at it.
What is Connor McDavid's personal best point streak?
His career-best single-season point streak is 20 games, during which he recorded 36 points last season.
Did Connor McDavid get injured against the Anaheim Ducks?
No injury was reported following his collision with Drew Helleson on November 5. McDavid briefly left the game for evaluation but returned later in the first period.
