However, the 2024-25 season was the most unusual of his Edmonton Oilers career. McDavid’s consistent brilliance is a rare thing in the NHL, especially since his peak performance is at the outer marker of excellence. For his generation, he sets the bar annually.

The Edmonton Oilers might be missing Mattias Ekholm for their opening-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, but Connor McDavid insisted that last year's Stanley Cup finalists are not limping into the playoffs.