Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid selected as a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award, along with Macklin Celebrini and Nikita Kucherov

As the Edmonton Oilers are already facing a setback in the NHL playoffs, the team has finally found a reason to celebrate as their captain, Connor McDavid, has been chosen as a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award this year. The award is given annually to the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the NHL Players' Association, and McDavid has consistently been one of the celebrated marquee players for the Oilers since 2015. According to reports, Connor McDavid joined the Edmonton Oilers in 2015 after being selected 1st overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft on June 26, 2015. He then signed his entry-level contract with the team on July 3, 2015, and made his NHL debut that year in October. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of playoff elimination, and much of the spotlight has turned to captain Connor McDavid after a disappointing opening-round series against the Anaheim Ducks. The team has struggled to generate its usual dominance, leaving the club in serious trouble as Anaheim grabbed a 3-1 series lead. Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid was named Ted Lindsay Award finalist for being one of the most outstanding players in the NHL. Besides McDavid, Macklin Celebrini and Nikita Kucherov were also named as finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award on Tuesday.Celebrating the captain’s feat, the Oilers took to their X/Twitter account and posted, "THE CAPTAIN. #Oilers forward Connor McDavid has been selected as a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award which is given to the @NHL 's most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the @NHLPA."It is to be noted that McDavid has won the Ted Lindsay Award four times previously, consecutively in 2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21, 2022-23, and is a finalist for the seventh time. According to the NHL, this season, the Oilers captain had 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in a 20-game point streak and also led the Oilers in goals, assists, and points, helping Edmonton to finish second in the Pacific Division with a record of 41-30-11.However, the tables turned against them after Edmonton’s 4-3 overtime loss in Game 4 against the Duck, which could push the Oilers to the edge of elimination and intensify scrutiny on the team. In addition to this, Kucherov is also being nominated for the third time in a row, and won the Ted Lindsay Award last season, while for Macklin Celebrini it would be his first time if he wins the award this year.