Edmonton Oilers' star player Connor McDavid reached a significant milestone by scoring his 1,000th career point during the second period of their game against the Nashville Predators on Thursday, November 14, 2024. The match took place in Edmonton and was captured by photographer Jason Franson for The Canadian Press.
In Edmonton, Connor McDavid made hockey history on Thursday night, becoming the fourth-fastest player to reach 1,000 career points in the NHL. This milestone came during the Oilers’ intense 3-2 overtime win over the Nashville Predators. McDavid’s pivotal moment arrived in the early part of the second period, when he netted a goal, levelling the score at 1-1.
McDavid achieved this remarkable feat in just 659 games, trailing only legends Wayne Gretzky (424 games), Mario Lemieux (513 games), and Mike Bossy (656 games) in terms of speed. The 27-year-old star forward now holds a career tally of 341 goals and 660 assists, cementing his place as the 99th NHL player to cross the 1,000-point threshold. Remarkably, he’s also the fourth-youngest to do so, highlighting his exceptional talent and consistency.
Reflecting on this achievement, McDavid noted, “These milestones give you a moment to look back. The past 10 years have been great, and I’m hopeful for another 10 just as good.” The significance of the night wasn’t lost on him, admitting that reaching this landmark brought more emotion than he expected.
McDavid’s milestone goal came off a perfectly set-up play by teammate Leon Draisaitl. On a 2-on-1 break, Draisaitl's precise pass allowed McDavid to find the net, beating Nashville’s goalie Scott Wedgewood with a sharp shot to the near post. The roar of the crowd and the reactions from fellow players made the moment even more special. “Seeing the way the guys reacted meant everything to me,” McDavid shared. “Hearing the fans, feeling that support – it’s more meaningful than any statistic.”
In the game’s closing moments, McDavid showcased his play-making skills once more, assisting Darnell Nurse’s winning goal in overtime with an impressive spinning backhand pass, pushing his point count to 1,001. Draisaitl, who has been a part of 446 of McDavid’s points, described the night as “legendary” and spoke about how surreal it was to be part of McDavid’s journey from their first meeting when he was 18 years old. “It’s been amazing to see him grow and to share these moments,” Draisaitl added.
The latest milestone underscores McDavid’s status as one of the brightest talents in modern hockey. In just 58 games, he climbed from 900 to 1,000 points, showcasing his relentless pace and unmatched skill. So far this season, McDavid has contributed six goals and 13 assists, further bolstering his already impressive career statistics.
