"He’s been great": Connor McDavid lauds Leon Draisaitl’s performance amid Oilers’ struggles

Connor McDavid praised Leon Draisaitl for his outstanding season as the Oilers battle through struggles. While Draisaitl shines with 100+ points, McDavid's numbers are lower than usual, placing him fourth in the scoring race.McDavid noted that Draisaitl seems to have "an extra step" in his game, emphasizing his impressive consistency and impact on the team.

Leon Draisaitl reached this milestone in a game against the New York Islanders, where he scored both goals, including the overtime winner. This achievement marked his sixth 100-point season and extended his point streak to 17 games, tying for the longest in the NHL this season.
“It seems like he’s got an extra step,” McDavid said. “You know, he’s been great. I don’t know — I don’t have an answer as to what’s been different. I think his consistency has been there. He’s been great every night.”

Leon Draisaitl has been a standout performer for the Oilers amid their recent struggles, with the team winning only six of their last 16 games and losing their division lead. On Friday, he reached 100 points for the season against the Islanders and took his goal tally to 49, just one shy of his fourth 50-goal season in seven years. Having signed an eight-year, $112 million contract, Draisaitl has earned praise from teammates and coach Kris Knoblauch, who also highlighted his strong defensive play.
McDavid currently ranks fourth in points, trailing Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draisaitl, and Nikita Kucherov.Connor McDavid has 85 points in 60 games this season, a solid performance but below his usual standards. Meanwhile, Leon Draisaitl got engaged to Celeste Desjardins in July, and they plan to marry at a French chateau.
On February 27, McDavid spoke to reporters about his lower-than-usual stats this season. "Obviously, the year hasn't gone the way I would have loved personally, but we're not after personal success," McDavid said. "So, the team's playing well, had been playing well, and, uh, and that's all.
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McDavid remains a crucial player for the Oilers, but his point total is lower than in previous seasons. He currently sits fourth in the scoring race, behind MacKinnon, who recently hit 1,000 career points, Draisaitl, who continues his strong offensive form, and Kucherov, who remains a key contributor for the Lightning.