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McDavid Took Over the Entire Season in Different Ways

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Apr 13, 2026 12:53 PM ET

At some point, you just run out of new ways to describe what the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid is doing. Every time you think the bar has been set, he bumps it again without making a big deal about it. That’s kind of the revealing part of this season. It’s more than the points; it’s how McDavid’s getting them, when he’s getting them, and how often games basically bend toward him, no matter what the situation looks like.

If you want a good sense of McDavid’s year, skip the full highlight reel and just check out three nights. The overtime win against Washington, the hat trick game versus San Jose, and the five-assist night in the Battle of Alberta. Three completely different games, but the same thing happened every time — McDavid stepped up and took control in whatever way the game called for.

McDavid Against Washington: The OT “I’ve got this” Game

The Jan. 24 game against the Washington Capitals was one of those back-and-forth nights where nobody could really get control. Goals going both ways, momentum flipping, everything feeling a bit loose.

And in the middle of all that, McDavid was just steady. Two goals, three assists, and then the overtime winner to finish it off. That’s the part that matters. It wasn’t just that he scored, but it was when he scored. Right at the time when the game needed someone to settle it down and end it, he didn’t hesitate. He just took over.

It’s that mix — chaos around him, calm in him — that makes those nights feel inevitable.

McDavid Against San Jose: He Just Decided It Was His Night

Then there was Apr. 8 against the San Jose Sharks, and honestly, this one felt like McDavid just went into “I’m showing who’s the boss” mode. He put up a hat trick, two assists, and was basically involved in everything Edmonton did offensively. It wasn’t even one type of goal, either. One was a power play score, another a greasy rebound, and finally a breakaway. McDavid showed the full toolbox.

What’s scary is how normal it starts to feel. With Macklin Celebrini watching, he showed what he could do. And that is score three and be the best playmaker on the ice. That’s just where he’s at now.

McDavid Against Calgary: Five Assists and Total Game Control

Then there was the Dec. 23 Battle of Alberta against the Calgary Flames, and this one is almost sneaky in comparison. No goals were scored; just five assists.

But if you watched it, it was obvious he was running the whole thing. Zone entries, quick touches, dragging defenders out of shape, setting up plays before most guys even saw them developing. It wasn’t loud dominance — it was control. Quiet, constant, and kind of unavoidable. That’s the version people sometimes miss with McDavid. He doesn’t always need to finish the play to own it.

What These Three Nights Say About McDavid

Put those games together, and you get the full picture of his season. He can take over with scoring, he can take over with playmaking, and he can take over when the game is messy, and nobody else can find structure. That’s what separates him from just “elite.” It’s not one skill. It’s that he can shift between roles depending on what the game needs.

People will keep debating where he sits in history. But honestly, three games like these make that debate feel a bit unnecessary. You’re just watching a player who changes games every possible way there is to change them. And at this point, it’s probably best just to enjoy it while it’s happening.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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