Game recognizes game.
Following a two-goal, three-point opening-night performance of his own, Connor McDavid gave due respect to the four-goal outburst by Toronto Maple Leafs star rookie Auston Matthews earlier Wednesday night.
Related: How Matthews' debut towers over previous No. 1 picks
"I don't think I touched the puck four times in my first game" was @cmcdavid97 response to A. Matthew's four goal game.
— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) October 13, 2016
McDavid's first game with the Edmonton Oilers was, in fact, rather nondescript; he failed to record a point while firing two shots on goal in 18 minutes of play against St Louis.
It took McDavid seven games to hit the four-goal mark, and he finished his injury-shortened rookie season with 16 goals in 45 games. The missed time hindered his ability to win the Calder Trophy despite averaging over a point per game.
Matthews' debut performance not only blew McDavid's out of the water, it put him in prime position to take home rookie of the year honors at season's end.
But don't sleep on McDavid, who could very well end up the NHL's highest scorer as early as this season, thereby resetting the bar.
