Speed kills. For Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, that saying is all too true. Since coming into the league in 2015-16, the now 24-year-old has not only become the game’s best player but a highlight reel machine. It seems almost every time he is on the ice something magical happens, and a large chunk of that is due to how fast he can get down the ice.
His transitioning into the game’s best player isn’t a major surprise. In fact, given the hype that has surrounded him since he was just a teenager, it would have likely been a disappointment if he wasn’t. However, it is unlikely even his biggest supporters could have ever imagined him becoming as dominant as he is now. The scary part is he is still continuing to get better as well.
As mentioned, he has become a highlight reel machine, and that was on display once again on Friday night in a game versus the New York Rangers. With last night’s magic, I decided to take on the nearly impossible task of putting together the top five goals of his career to this point. It is a very subjective list given how many amazing ones he has scored throughout his 417-game career, but here it is.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets Injury Comeback
This goal, while still incredible, may not be quite as jaw-dropping as others on the list. What made it truly impressive however was the fact that he was not only a rookie, but it was his first game back after a lengthy time off due to a broken clavicle. While it was pretty obvious before, this goal showed what a gamer mentality he has, and ensured Oilers fans that he was going to be everything as advertised.
The Oilers went on to win this game by a score of 5-1, while McDavid had this goal and two assists.
4. Dallas Stars Between the Legs
For whatever reason, this goal never seemed to get the accolades it deserved, as it was absolutely incredible. It may have been due to the fact that when it happened back on Mar. 28, 2019, the Oilers were well outside the playoff picture, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was one of the best goals we have seen from McDavid.
Despite this goal putting the Oilers up 2-0 at the time, however, it turned out not to be enough as the Stars completed the comeback with a 3-2 shootout win. Still, it was yet another multi-point evening for McDavid who also assisted on a Leon Draisaitl goal.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs Split Thru
This goal was similar to what we saw on Friday night versus the Rangers, and something we have seen from McDavid on numerous other occasions as well. Still, this one ranks as one of the best, as it was one of those plays where he seemed to make something out of nothing, embarrassing multiple Toronto Maple Leafs in the process.
This was very early into the 2020-21 season, one in which McDavid recorded an unfathomable 105 points in just 56 games. On this night in particular he scored two goals, including the overtime winner, while adding an assist in a 4-3 victory.
2. Burning Past Rielly
As is clear from this list, McDavid has scored plenty of top-notch goals in his career. Very few if any, however, have garnered attention like the one he scored against once again, the Maple Leafs, on Jan. 6, 2020. This goal was discussed on sports shows and amongst fans for a long time, much to the chagrin of defenceman Morgan Rielly.
The Oilers went on to win this contest 6-4, and McDavid was brilliant once again with this beauty and three assists.
1. One on Four Versus Rangers
His teammates in Darnell Nurse and Zach Hyman both confirmed this postgame, saying it was one of, if not the best goal, that they have ever seen. Almost every other player in the league here would simply dump the puck in given that he was going in on four Rangers by himself as his team was circling back, but not McDavid.
The background of this game made this goal even more special, as the Oilers found themselves trailing 4-1 at one point. They were able to battle all the way back however and won it 6-5 in overtime thanks to a Draisaitl game-winner. To the surprise of nobody, McDavid once again had a multi-point outing with a goal and two helpers.