Connor McDavid's assist streak hangs on a scoring call

BR_OpenIce says the NHL website isn't crediting Oilers star Connor McDavid with an assist tonight, putting his 18-game streak in doubt.

The Oilers beat the Rangers 3-1 in Edmonton, but the talk after the final horn is about a single play and how it gets scored. The official call is unclear and could still change.

BR_OpenIce noted that, as of right now, the NHL website does not credit McDavid with the assist, which would end the streak he started the season with.

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Oilers beat writer Tyler Yaremchuk had a different read. He reported that the initial scoring was an assist for McDavid, which would keep the streak alive.

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Yaremchuk also wondered aloud whether the scorers would be able to "squint" and give McDavid the helper.

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We can't say which play is in question beyond what these posts say, and nobody has confirmed a final ruling. What we know is that the initial call and the website don't match.

The timing makes it sting. McDavid came into tonight with 37 assists and 47 points, and he was chasing Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux for 50 points in 19 or fewer games. Tonight was his 19th.

He has also been described as on pace to break the NHL single-season points record, and Wayne Gretzky's bold prediction for McDavid was a big talking point just days ago.

Those season totals are from before tonight's game.

Does the streak survive the official scoring?

Nobody can say for sure yet. The initial scoring went his way, the website currently doesn't, and the league has to settle it.

A streak that was already being compared to Adam Oates shouldn't come down to a judgment call. The league has to get this right, and it should explain its answer plainly.

The rest of the night was straightforward. Leon Draisaitl sealed it with an empty-netter, and Devon Levi stole the game for Edmonton. The Oilers entered tonight 12-3-3 and first in the Pacific Division, and the Rangers took the loss.

Edmonton's new identity under Mike Babcock has been built on this kind of road-tested confidence. The Oilers host the Flyers on Wednesday, and McDavid's streak status should be settled by then.

Quick hits

NEW YORK RANGERS: The Rangers went 0-for-5 on the power play and lost 3-1 in Edmonton. Dylan Garand's turnover opened the scoring, which is a rough way to start.

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TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: Vinni Lettieri has been sent back down to the minors, according to the Maple Leafs' PuckPedia page. It's a small move, but a veteran center out of the mix is worth noting.

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HALL OF FAME: Belle Fraser is reporting live from Patrice Bergeron's Hockey Hall of Fame speech tonight. The Bruins legend made sure to thank the fans.

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Also read on Markerzone.com:
Connor McDavid and the Oilers: inside Edmonton's new identity