Comparing Matthews and McDavid at the century mark

It's Auston and Connor's world, and the rest of us are just living in it.

Toronto Maple Leafs savior Auston Matthews and Edmonton Oilers phenom Connor McDavid have taken the NHL by storm the last few seasons with slick skating, smooth hands, and poise beyond their years. Their fresh approaches have quickly made the duo the new faces of the league.

After Matthews played in his 100th career game Monday, we take a look at how these two generational talents compare after their first 100 games.

The numbers

Each player entered the league at 19 years old, but they quickly settled into their roles as everyday NHLers, racking up points at impressive rates.

While the arguments over which player is better rage on, when you compare their stats, the two stack up a lot closer than McDavid supporters might be willing to admit.

Here's a look at their stats through the first 100 games:

Player	Goals	Assists	Points	GWG	Plus-minus
McDavid	34	74	108	10	+14
Matthews	52	38	90	10	+16

These numbers won't end the conversation, but they clearly show the gap between the two is more slim than many think.

Durability

Before Oilers fans start sharpening their pitchforks, lighting torches, and heading for theScore's offices, it should be made clear that McDavid's first-season production was stunted when he missed almost three months with a fractured clavicle. A straight-up comparison needs to be viewed with the right lens.

In the 19 games leading up to his injury during the 2015-16 campaign, the first 19 of his career, McDavid registered 24 points and was just heating up, so there's no telling what he would've done offensively in the time he spent on the shelf.

Meanwhile, Matthews registered six goals and seven assists for only 13 points through his first 19 contests.

There's no way of predicting which player will be able to avoid future injury, and McDavid's busted collarbone was a fluke accident. But the fact remains: at this point in their careers, Matthews has proven to be the more durable player.

Linemates

You can't get by without a little help from your friends, and that couldn't be more true for a hockey player.

Last season, Edmonton's line of Patrick Maroon, Leon Draisaitl, and McDavid was a force to be reckoned with, finishing the regular season with a ridiculous total of 219 points. A major reason for McDavid hitting the 100-point mark last campaign was his 70 assists on a line firing on all cylinders.

This year, the Oilers look like a shell of their former selves, sitting near the bottom of the league in goal-scoring with a measly 50. A major reason for that is McDavid's once-stellar supporting cast is firing blanks, leading a panicked management team to acquire aging veteran Michael Cammalleri.

Meanwhile, Matthews' line with William Nylander and Zach Hyman has been one of the better trios in the league this year, racking up 46 combined points while anchoring the Leafs' offensive attack.

Simply put, if McDavid and Co. were able to maintain the insane pace they were on last year to start this one, Matthews' offensive output after 100 would most likely fall well short.

Ultimately, picking one of the two best hockey players of their generation over the other is like choosing between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini. Even after 100 games, it doesn't appear this debate will be settled anytime soon.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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