I see a lot of parallels with this season for Oilers and the 2017-2018 season for Penguins.
In 2018 around ~January, Pens were waffling and almost out of playoffs on a losing streak....and then Crosby put the team on his back in an incredible stretch of ~10-15 games that started a winning streak where he scored a ton....and Malkin quickly joined in too after a few games. Once Pens seemed safe in playoffs - Crosby slowed down a bit but Malkin kept going and had the stronger overall season. Crosby did come out swinging in playoffs though, 21 points in 2 rounds.
This year.....Edmonton was off to a horrible start that seemed like it would mirror last year for a while....and then McDavid got injured and missed games...but when he returned he went on a crazy run himself.
McDavid in 19 games had 12 goals and 38 points (2.0 ppg), and Oilers in that stretch had 14 wins in 19 games (29 points in 19 games).
Since that stretch? McDavid definitely slowed down and had a pretty slow year for his standards - while Draisailt has kept going and is in the running for league MVP. But just like Crosby in 2018 - I fully expect McDavid to come out swinging in the playoffs.
So I see a lot of similarities in the two seasons.
Who was more instrumental in their team's turnaround in-season as the team was going nowhere? Crosby in 2018, and McDavid in 2025
Who is the overall team MVP for the full season? It was Malkin in 2018 - and it's definitely Draisaitl in 2025.
