McDavid low-key after breaking Gretzky's assists record: 'Not the focus'

Unsurprisingly, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid was as low-key as ever after breaking Wayne Gretzky's record for the most assists in a single postseason.

"Yeah, I guess it is (special)," he said with a chuckle after the Oilers' 8-1 mauling of the Florida Panthers on Saturday. "Obviously not the focus with where we're at, but (it's) not lost on me what he means to the game."

McDavid recorded his 32nd assist of these playoffs on Dylan Holloway's goal late in the contest to surpass the Great One.

THE EXTRA POINT IS GOOD pic.twitter.com/4khKRyCt7c

- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 16, 2024

Here's how the all-time list stands with McDavid in the No. 1 spot:

McDavid's teammates had a lot more to say about his record-breaking night.

"Connor probably won't admit it, but you've gotta feel proud about that," Connor Brown said. "It's not by accident. ... He works harder than anyone I've ever met. ... He's our best player."

Holloway was all smiles while calling McDavid's feat "unbelievable."

"Most of Gretzky's records are considered almost untouchable, and (McDavid), he's right there," he said. "It's pretty special to watch. He leads our team every day, on the ice, off the ice. ... Couldn't be happier for him."

McDavid picked a great time to erupt, as his memorable assist wrapped up a dominant four-point outing that helped Edmonton avoid being swept out of the Stanley Cup Final.

Zach Hyman has had a front-row seat to the McDavid show for the past three years, so the veteran didn't seem too surprised by the superstar's clutch performance.

"I think any time our team's back is against the wall, he's the first guy to push back," he said. "For us to come back, he's gotta be the best, and he seems to always be the best when we're in these situations."

Mattias Janmark, meanwhile, had an almost blase attitude toward McDavid's excellence.

"I don't know if I thought he was that special tonight," the forward said, per Sportsnet. "Like, you see it every day, and you don't keep track of his points because it gets up there pretty quick. ... Every day you kind of get mesmerized by it."

McDavid is up to 38 points this spring, tying Gretzky's 1983 postseason for the fifth-most all time in a single playoffs:

Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

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