Have seen some fans lately claim that scoring increased in 2018 or so simply because the players got better and nothing to do with goalie equipment, refereeing, defensive structures etc.
Other than the lack of substance to that argument, look at what 37 year old Crosby and 39 year old Ovechkin are still able to do in this league. It's insane.
Ovechkin was leading the league in goals up until his broken leg, Crosby has lead the league in points over the last month. Both these guys are very clearly inferior to their younger selves.