Connor McDavid is carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, and he's doing it with style. The Edmonton Oilers star continues to dazzle on the Olympic stage, setting records that underscore his incredible talent.
In Canada's electrifying semi-final win over Finland, McDavid once again delivered when it mattered most. With the clock ticking down and the score tied at 2-2, McDavid threaded a perfect cross-ice pass to Nathan MacKinnon.
MacKinnon didn't miss, burying the puck and giving Canada the lead with just 30 seconds left on the clock. That assist marked McDavid's fifth consecutive multi-point game in these Olympics, setting a new record for NHL players.
Previously, Finland's Teemu Selanne held the record with a four-game streak at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.
But McDavid wasn't finished. Earlier in the game, he set another record by breaking the tie for most points by an NHL player in Olympic history. Entering the game with 11 points, he added another assist on Sam Reinhart’s power-play goal, surpassing the previous record held by Selanne and Saku Koivu from the 2006 Turin Olympics.
McDavid had already set a record earlier in the tournament with six points in Canada's first two games, the most ever by an NHL player in that span. With three records now under his belt and one game to go, McDavid's focus remains firmly on the team's success.
Despite his individual accolades, McDavid is all about the team. "We’re putting our country through a lot," he remarked after the win, acknowledging the nail-biting nature of their journey to the gold medal game. "The margins are razor, razor-thin," he added, highlighting the intense competition.
Named captain in the absence of Sidney Crosby due to injury, McDavid humbly stated, "Hopefully, [I’m] just keeping it warm for him. To wear the C for a group like this, it means everything to me."
As Canada prepares for the final showdown, McDavid's leadership and record-breaking performances have already left an indelible mark on these Games.