McDavid becomes 4th-fastest player to 1,000 points

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid recorded his 1,000th career point Thursday against the Nashville Predators.

The momentous milestone came when McDavid buried a one-timer while on a 2-on-1 with Leon Draisaitl.

McDavid is the 99th player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-point plateau. He's the fourth-fastest player to get there, doing so in his 659th game, and is in some legendary company thanks to his blistering pace.

McDavid is also the fourth-youngest player to hit 1,000 points at 27 years, 306 days. Only Gretzky, Lemieux, and Steve Yzerman did it at a younger age.

The Oilers superstar spoke from the heart while addressing the fans after Thursday's game.

McDavid started the season 18 points back of the achievement and almost joined the club on Tuesday thanks to a four-point night against the New York Islanders that left him at 999.

Draisaitl acknowledged the rarity of McDavid's accomplishment after the two connected on the overtime winner that night.

"We are not talking greatness. We are talking legendary-type stuff," Draisaitl told Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "It is fun to be a part of."

The Oilers drafted McDavid first overall in 2015. He's surpassed 100 points in all seven of his full seasons and set a personal best with 153 in 2022-23. McDavid's career points-per-game clip (1.52) trails only Gretzky (1.92) and Lemieux (1.88) in the all-time ranks.

McDavid has won five scoring titles, three MVPs, a "Rocket" Richard, and a Conn Smythe.

He picked up his 1,001st point with a brilliant assist on Darnell Nurse's overtime winner Thursday.