1st – Connor McDavid
The Edmonton Oilers’ captain, Connor McDavid, continues to dominate the NHL Playoffs, leading all skaters with an impressive 31 points. This total includes 26 assists and five goals in 18 games played. McDavid’s career playoff points have now reached 106, and he’s earned the distinction of being the 4th fastest player in NHL history to achieve 100 playoff points, following in the footsteps of legends like Gretzky, Lemieux, and Draisaitl. The Oilers are gearing up to take on the Florida Panthers, with the series set to start on Saturday night at 8:00 PM ET (6:00 PM MT). McDavid is determined to lead his team to their first Stanley Cup win since 1990, when they triumphed over the Boston Bruins. While his goal scoring has dipped slightly this season, his exceptional playmaking skills have kept him at the top of the point totals. However, McDavid’s focus remains solely on leading the Oilers to a championship, making it clear that nothing less than a Stanley Cup victory will satisfy him and his team.
Biggest Goal So Far:
2nd – Leon Draisaitl
Leon Draisaitl is having a phenomenal NHL playoff, currently only 3 points behind Connor McDavid. With an impressive 28 points, including 18 assists and 10 goals, he holds 2nd place in points among all skaters. Draisaitl’s quick achievement of 100 career playoff points makes him the 3rd fastest player in NHL history to reach this milestone, following only Lemieux and Gretzky. Despite his outstanding statistics, Draisaitl’s primary focus is on the team’s success rather than personal records. He remains unfazed by the current narrative of the “Canadian Cup Drought. As the team advances to the Stanley Cup Final, his physical presence and exceptional passing skills will be crucial in taking on the Florida Panthers.
Biggest Goal So Far:
3rd – Evan Bouchard
Evan Bouchard has been dominating as a defenseman, currently leading all defensemen with an impressive 27 points these playoffs. This includes six goals and 21 assists, putting him 11 points ahead of the second-place defenseman, Miro Heiskanen, who is no longer in the playoffs. Known for his elite playmaking skills, particularly on the power-play, Bouchard has been making excellent passes and unleashing powerful shots on goal, earning them the nickname as “Bouch Bombs.” Making history, he has become the third fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 50 playoff points, following only Bobby Orr and Brian Leetch. If he records at least six assists in this Cup Final, he can break Paul Coffey’s record from 1985 and become the defenseman with the most assists in a single playoff year. As the Stanley Cup Final approaches, Bouchard will be crucial in leading the D-core to limit Florida’s chances, especially in breakouts and special teams play.
Biggest Goal So Far:
ITR 45: Everything Is Happening – Inside The Rink
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