EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) 鈥� now has the record for the most assists in a single NHL postseason after passing Wayne Gretzky with three more of the Stanley Cup Final.
McDavid assisted on goals by Darnell Nurse, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Dylan Holloway to reach 32 this playoffs, keying the Edmonton Oilers' of the Florida Panthers that kept them from being eliminated in a sweep. Their longtime captain and face of the league was far more concerned about the victory and the series and brushed off breaking Gretzky's mark.
鈥淥bviously not the focus with where we鈥檙e at,鈥� said McDavid, who also scored his first goal in his first trip to the final. 鈥淏ut not lost on me what he means to the game. Not the focus. Yeah.鈥�
Teammates were far more complimentary of their leader and best player adding his name to the history books.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 pretty special,鈥� said forward Connor Brown, whose history with McDavid dates to their time playing junior hockey together with the Erie Otters. 鈥淐onnor probably won鈥檛 admit it, but you鈥檝e got to feel proud about that. It鈥檚 not by accident. I鈥檝e known Connor for a long time, and it鈥檚 not an accident he is the player he is.鈥�
McDavid's 38 points in 22 games are the most of anyone in the playoffs. Holloway said McDavid passing Gretzky was 鈥渦nbelievable.鈥�
鈥淢ost of Gretzky鈥檚 records are considered almost untouchable, and Davo, he鈥檚 right there,鈥� Holloway said. "It鈥檚 pretty special to watch. He leads our team every day, on the ice, off the ice leads by example. Couldn鈥檛 be happier for him.鈥�
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AP NHL playoffs: and
Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press
