McDavid Named NHL Rookie of the Month Yet Again

(photo: Connor Mah)

The National Hockey League named Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid the Rookie of the Month for February.

McDavid beat out fellow rookies Shayne Gostisbehere, Artemi Panarin and Joonas Korpisalo for the honor. Gostisbehere had four goals, and nine assists for 13 points in 15 games played during the month, setting the rookie record for a defenseman earning a point in 15 games straight. Panarin had five goals, six assists and 11 points in nine games played. Korpisalo had a 7-3-2 record to go with a 2.46 goals against average and a .922 save percentage in 12 games.

McDavid missed 37 games after he suffered a broken collarbone against the Flyers on November 3. He returned to the Oilers lineup on February 2 against the Columbus Blue Jackets and picked up right where he left off. He scored a goal, two assists and tallied three points in a 5-1 win. McDavid played in 14 total games in February and tallied five goals, 12 assists and 17 points. He ranked first among his fellow rookies with 12 assists and 17 points during the month.

The forward managed three multiple-point games in February. He had the aforementioned three-point night against the Blue Jackets on February 2, which was followed up by a dual assist night in Ottawa against the Senators. The Oilers won that game by a score of 7-2. His other multiple-point game was in Edmonton against the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he tallied two goals and three assists for five total points. McDavid became the ninth-youngest player to have a five-point game in NHL History. The only other Oilers rookies to put up five points in a game are Dave Lumley and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

McDavid registered at least one point in 10 of his 14 games played during the month. He was held scoreless against the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens. The Oilers lost three of the four games where he was held scoreless, only beating the Ducks in overtime on February 26. This is the second time this season that McDavid has won the honors. The other occasion was in October when he had five goals, seven assists and 12 points in 12 games played. McDavid averages 1.07 points per game this season, but has only played in 27 because of injury.