Most points in NHL playoffs: How Connor McDavid can pass Wayne Gretzky's single-postseason scoring record

Bryan Murphy

Most points in NHL playoffs: How Connor McDavid can pass Wayne Gretzky's single-postseason scoring record image

The hockey world is running out of words to describe Connor McDavid.

The Oilers superstar solidified himself as the best player currently in the NHL a number of years ago. And just when fans think they've seen him reach his ceiling, he somehow proves them wrong. 

The one knock on McDavid's resume is the lack of a Stanley Cup. He's got five Art Ross trophies, four Ted Lindsay awards, three Hart trophies, a Rocket Richard trophy and seven All-Star selections. The one major part missing is a championship and a Conn Smythe. 

McDavid is doing everything in his willpower to change that in 2024. The Edmonton captain has quite literally put the team on his back through this postseason run, helping the Oilers to the team's first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 2006. In the process, he is cementing his status as one of the all-time great playoff performers and putting together what could be the single greatest postseason by an NHL player. 

Another Oilers legend, Wayne Gretzky, owns the record for the most points in a single postseason. It's a record that has stood for nearly 40 years and has long been regarded as a mark that could not be broken in the modern era.

But McDavid is on the cusp of history. He is inching closer and closer to Gretzky's record as he and the Oilers attempt to bring the organization its first Stanley Cup championship since 1990. 

Here is more to know about Gretzky's record and how close McDavid is to surpassing him on the all-time list.

MORE: Full playoff history for Connor McDavid

Most points in a single NHL playoffs

Gretzky holds the record for most points in a single postseason. He also owns the third-highest points total ... as well as the fifth and the sixth. 

His postseason runs with the Oilers and the Kings were iconic as Gretzky took home the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP in 1985 and 1988. He's not called "The Great One" for nothing. 

McDavid nearly cracked the top 10 two years ago during his sensational 2022 playoffs. The Oilers captain recorded 33 points during the team's run to the Western Conference Final, placing him in a tie for 18th on the list.

Now, not only is he in the top 10, but he's already in the top five, and he is threatening to potentially break what was once viewed as an unreachable record. 

PlayerTeamYearPointsResult
Wayne GretzkyEdmonton Oilers198547Won Stanley Cup
Mario LemieuxPittsburgh Penguins199144Won Stanley Cup
Wayne GretzkyEdmonton Oilers198843Won Stanley Cup
Connor McDavidEdmonton Oilers202442TBD
Wayne GretzkyLos Angeles Kings199340Lost in Stanley Cup Final
Wayne GretzkyEdmonton Oilers198338Lost in Stanley Cup Final
Paul CoffeyEdmonton Oilers198537Won Stanley Cup
Evgeni MalkinPittsburgh Penguins200936Won Stanley Cup
Mike BossyNew York Islanders198135Won Stanley Cup
Wayne GretzkyEdmonton Oilers198435Won Stanley Cup
Doug GilmourToronto Maple Leafs199335Lost in Western Conference Final

How many points does Connor McDavid have? 

McDavid currently is at 42 points in 24 games for the 2024 playoffs. He's potted eight goals and 34 assists heading into Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. 

The Oilers superstar kicked off the playoffs with a five-assist outing in Game 1 of the first round against the Kings, and he hasn't looked back. McDavid is up to 12 multi-point games in the 2024 postseason, including seven games in which he recorded at least three points.

MORE: Where is Connor McDavid from?

He's been held off the scoresheet just six times, and has yet to go back-to-back games without a point. 

Here is a game-by-game breakdown of his 2024 playoffs. 

GameResultGoalsAssistsPoints
Stanley Cup Final Game 6W, 5-1000
Stanley Cup Final Game 5W, 5-3224
Stanley Cup Final Game 4W, 8-1134
Stanley Cup Final Game 3L, 4-3022
Stanley Cup Final Game 2L, 4-1011
Stanley Cup Final Game 1L, 3-0000
Western Conference Final Game 6W, 2-1112
Western Conference Final Game 5W, 3-1011
Western Conference Final Game 4W, 5-2033
Western Conference Final Game 3L, 5-3112
Western Conference Final Game 2L, 3-1000
Western Conference Final Game 1W, 3-2 (OT)112
Second Round Game 7W, 3-2000
Second Round Game 6W, 5-1033
Second Round Game 5L, 3-2000
Second Round Game 4W, 3-2010
Second Round Game 3L, 4-3000
Second Round Game 2W, 4-3 (OT)134
Second Round Game 1L, 5-4011
First Round Game 5W, 4-3022
First Round Game 4W, 1-0011
First Round Game 3W, 6-1123
First Round Game 2L, 5-4 (OT)011
First Round Game 1W, 7-4055

Connor McDavid vs. Wayne Gretzky stats

When McDavid was drafted No. 1 overall in 2015 to the Oilers, the immediate comparison was Gretzky. He was viewed as another generational talent that would be the best player in the world, hopefully leading Edmonton to a dynasty. 

While the latter hasn't happened (yet), he has more than lived up to expectations. McDavid is well on his way to putting his name all over the NHL record books, both for his regular season play and in the postseason. 

MORE: Where Connor McDavid's contract ranks among NHL players

As of now, Gretzky beats him when it comes to Stanley Cups and Conn Smythes, and his offensive output is still much higher than McDavid. However, at just 27 years old, McDavid is not slowing down anytime soon, and he is bound to win at least one championship at some point in his career, while boosting his stats. 

Here is a closer look at the stats between the two Edmonton superstars, courtesy of Hockey Reference

Regular season

Connor McDavidStatWayne Gretzky
645Games1,487
335Goals894
647Assists1,963
982Points2,857
0.52Goals per game0.60
1.00Assists per game1.32
1.52Points per game1.92
78PPG204
69GWG91
15.2Shooting %17.6

Postseason

Connor McDavidStatWayne Gretzky
73Games208
37Goals122
80Assists260
117Points382
0.51Goals per game0.57
1.11Assists per game1.25
1.63Points per game1.84
13PPG35
3GWG24
14.9Shooting %17.5

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.