After a four-point effort in his team’s game 4-3 overtime victory against the New York IslandersConnor McDavid will have the opportunity to make history in front of Edmonton fans on Thursday.

The Oilers are scheduled to host the struggling Nashville Predators for their third and final meeting of the regular season later this week. With just one more point, McDavid will become the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points.

The fastest ever was Wanye Gretzky, who reached 1,000 points in his 424th league game, then 2,000 points in his 857th game. Mario Lemieux was the second fastest to reach the millennium milestone, reaching the milestone in his 513th game. Assuming McDavid doesn’t suddenly experience the longest scoring drought of his career, he’ll find himself just behind Mike Bossy on the list, who reached 1,000 points in his 656th game.

The NHL and its broadcast partners would be pleased if McDavid was kept off the scoresheet when the Predators come to town, as the next game on Edmonton’s schedule is a Canada Hockey Night game at times prime time in Toronto. Despite the incredible scenario, McDavid said he would prefer to get the job done as quickly as possible.

“I wanted to get it over with tonight.” McDavid said after Tuesday’s win over New York. “Evenings like this, I don’t want to leave the ice. »

“I would have liked to get it done tonight, but a five-point night isn’t, well, it’s not (accomplished) every day,” McDavid added. “I wish I didn’t bring him there (Toronto), and it’s another big game for us against Nashville.”

Although McDavid downplayed his accomplishment in typical McDavid fashion, teammate and close friend Leon Draisaitl admitted he would surely love to make history in front of the home crowd.

“He’s not a guy who likes the show,” Draisaitl said. “He loves the end product and he puts his work into it every day. I’d be lying if I said he doesn’t want to reach (1,000 points) as soon as possible. It’s human nature. But he’s not there for show.

“I hope I don’t bring bad luck to him, but I have a feeling that won’t happen in Toronto. Knock on wood, I’m sure he would love to do it in front of our home fans.

Edmonton’s game against Nashville on Thursday will be the 659th of his career, so McDavid should be able to reach 1,000 points in the NHL ahead of legends such as Peter Stastny (682 games), Jari Kurri (716 games), Guy Lafleur (720 games ), Bryan Trottier (726 matches), Denis Savard (727 matches), Steve Yzerman (737 matches), Marcel Dionne (740 matches), Phil Esposito (745 games), Sidney Crosby (757 games) and Jaromir Jagr (763 games).

“We’re not talking about greatness, we’re talking about legend,” Draisaitl added. “He’s the greatest player to ever play the game, in my opinion.”

What does all this mean for McDavid himself? Becoming the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to reach 1,000 points isn’t something he ignores, but the captain is ultimately focused on what matters most, which is- i.e. helping the Oilers win hockey games.

“Nothing has happened yet, so I guess maybe I’ll save that for when it happens,” McDavid said. “But I haven’t lost sight of the speed to get there and the names that are there. They are among the best. But nothing happened and we have to prepare for another Thursday.