Oilers’ Draisaitl Discusses Possibility of 82 Goal Season
Regardless of whether or not you are a fan of the Edmonton Oilers, it is impossible to ignore what both Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are doing this season. Through 38 games, the two have combined for an absurd 76 points, with Draisaitl leading the way slightly with 40.
While Alex Ovechkin is near them both in the points department with an extremely impressive 33, the next closest points total in the league is Nazem Kadri with 25. Simply put, both Draisaitl and McDavid are doing things we haven’t seen happen in a long time, and it has many wondering what kinds of records this dynamic duo may be able to break moving forward.
In Wednesday nights 5-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes, Draisaitl was able to find the back of the net twice, giving him 20 goals through just 19 games. While there is still a long ways to go, some are beginning to ponder whether this goal per game pace could be sustainable for the talented German forward, something he was asked about on Wednesday night. Unfortunately for any Oilers fans who were betting on the fact he will do it, he doesn’t seem to think the chances are very high.
“You expect me to score 82 goals this year,” said a laughing Draisaitl. “That’s not going to happen. Obviously, playing with 97 makes it a lot easier. A lot more free ice out there with him. But, I don’t expect that of myself. That’s not anything realistic, I think.”
Perhaps Draisaitl is just taking the humble approach here. From anyone that has watched the Oilers closely this season, it doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibilities that he would be able to keep up this pace, given how much he dominates each and every night. For those wondering at home, the 80 goal plateau has only been reached four times in NHL history. Wayne Gretzky did it twice with 92 in 1981-82, as well as 87 in just 74 games in 1983-84. Brett Hull has the third highest ever single season total with 86, while Mario Lemieux is the third and final player to reach the 80-goal mark with 85.
Though McDavid and Draisaitl don’t seem to like to talk about themselves to the media, it is obvious how much pride they take in the numbers they are putting up. These two are as driven as ever, and while Draisaitl may not have 82 goals in mind, you can bet he is looking to win his first ever Rocket Richard Trophy.
Their head coach in Dave Tippett is very well aware of all of this as well, and will give his two superstars every chance to succeed. Of course, team success comes first, and that hasn’t been an issue at all this season either as the Oilers sit with a very solid 14-5-0 record through 19 games. This team will continue to be one of the most exciting throughout the league to watch for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign.