With Alexander Ovechkin on the verge of overtaking Wayne Gretzky for top spot among the NHL’s all-time goal leaders, the “GR8 Chase” has prompted a lot of discussion lately debating what records are most untouchable.
Well, in the case of the Edmonton Oilers, the toughest record to break is apparently the most game-winning goals (GWG) in franchise history. Just ask Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
McDavid Tied Record in January
In Edmonton’s 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Jan. 13, McDavid notched his 72nd career GWG, tying Glenn Anderson for first place all-time on the Oilers. At that point, it seemed like just a matter of days before McDavid would move ahead of the legendary Anderson. But more than two months have since passed, and the pair remained tied.
In the meantime, McDavid’s lengthy GWG drought opened the door for Draisaitl to set the record. Draisaitl scored his 70th career GWG on Jan. 3, in a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, putting the German forward within striking distance of Anderson.
The goal was Draisaitl’s ninth GWG of 2024-25 and came in only his 38th game. Only 10 other players in NHL history had reached nine GWG before their team’s 40th game of the season. Draisaitl was absolutely on fire, and at the rate he was going, the German centre would overtake Anderson in no time.
But then Draisaitl experienced a GWG slump, too. He went 10 weeks without a GWG before finally notching the 71st of his career on March 14, when he scored in overtime to lift Edmonton past the New York Islanders by a score of 2-1.
Time Running Out to Set New Record in 2024-25
There are now just 14 games remaining on Edmonton’s 2024-25 schedule, and the race towards the GWG record remains wide open between best buds Draisaitl and McDavid. Who will get to 73 GWG first? Will it even happen this season? Or could both pass Anderson before the season ends?
Going forward, it’s quite possible that Draisaitl and McDavid will be neck-and-neck for years to come, each passing the other at various points for the all-time franchise GWG lead.
Anderson Held Record for Over 35 Years
Anderson has held at least a share of the Oilers’ GWG record since Oct. 7, 1989, when he notched his 61st career GWG to tie Gretzky. Just over a week and a half later, on Oct. 18, 1989, Anderson scored his 62nd GWG as an Oiler, and the Hall-of-Famer would have first place all to himself for more than 35 years before being equalled by McDavid.
Since Edmonton joined the NHL for the 1979-80 season, only two other players have ever sat alone in first place for most Oilers career GWG: Blair MacDonald, who was the very first Oiler to notch a GWG in the NHL regular season, on Oct. 19, 1979, against the Quebec Nordiques and Dave Lumley. Gretzky, Lumley and MacDonald took turns in first place over Edmonton’s first couple seasons, before Gretzky moved in front to stay when he notched his eighth career GWG on Feb. 18, 1981. Gretzky held the top spot for eight-plus seasons, including for more than a year after he had been traded to Los Angeles, until Anderson caught him.
McDavid could set the new benchmark as soon as tonight (March 20), when Edmonton hosts the Winnipeg Jets. Or Draisaitl could tie him. Or neither. Of course, given how tight the Pacific Division standings are, the only race that either Oilers superstar really cares about right now is the one for playoff positioning. Edmonton is currently second place in the Pacific Division, just two points back of the Vegas Golden Knights and only three points ahead of the Kings.
