{"id":8714434,"date":"2023-01-12T13:35:35","date_gmt":"2023-01-12T21:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/?p=8714434&preview=true&preview_id=8714434"},"modified":"2023-01-13T04:06:59","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T12:06:59","slug":"oilers-mcdavid-nearly-on-same-scoring-pace-as-nhl-legend-former-shark-kane-close-to-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/2023\/01\/12\/oilers-mcdavid-nearly-on-same-scoring-pace-as-nhl-legend-former-shark-kane-close-to-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Oilers’ McDavid nearly on same scoring pace as NHL legend; ex-Shark Kane close to return"},"content":{"rendered":"

A San Jose Sharks team that has had all kinds of issues keeping the puck out of their own net this season now has to contend with the greatest single offensive force in the NHL.<\/p>\n

The Sharks (13-22-8) host Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on Friday at SAP Center as they begin a three-game homestand that also features games against playoff hopefuls New Jersey on Monday and Dallas next Wednesday.<\/p>\n

With 79 points in 43 games, McDavid is on pace for the greatest individual offensive season the NHL has seen since Mario Lemieux had 161 points in just 70 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1995-1996. He is already believed to be a lock for the Hart Trophy as the NHL player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.<\/p>\n

Since that season by Lemieux, only three players have had seasons of 125 points or more \u2013 Jaromir Jagr (127 in 1998-1999), Joe Thornton (125 in 2005-2006), and Nikita Kucherov (128 in 2018-2019).<\/p>\n

McDavid has 12 goals and 30 points in 23 career regular-season games against the Sharks, who, before Thursday, were the third-worst team in the NHL in allowing 5-on-5 goals.<\/p>\n

With their 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, the Sharks have now allowed an average of 2.60 goals per game during 5-on-5 play, a figure that ranks ahead of only Anaheim (2.83) and Columbus (2.68).<\/p>\n

Against the Kings, all four goals the Sharks allowed came at even strength, including two in the third period. Nick Bonino and Tomas Hertl both scored in the loss, which marked the eighth time in the last 11 games that the Sharks have allowed four or more goals.<\/p>\n

The Sharks are now 5-6-8 in one-goal games and 2-7-6 against Pacific Division opponents.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re there every game, and just can\u2019t get wins,\u201d Bonino said. \u201cIt\u2019s frustrating for everyone. We\u2019re trying everything in practice and video, competing, and it\u2019s just not going our way right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

NO KANE:<\/strong> Oilers winger and former Shark Evander Kane won\u2019t play Friday but he is nearing a return from a frightening injury on Nov. 11, when he had his wrist accidentally cut by the skate blade of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Pat Maroon.<\/p>\n

The laceration on Kane\u2019s left wrist went to the bone and required surgery after he was rushed to a hospital in Tampa. Kane\u2019s initial recovery time was listed at three-to-four months, but the Oilers are optimistic he could return at some point this month.<\/p>\n

Edmonton has gone 14-11-3 in Kane\u2019s absence and was in the Western Conference\u2019s second wild-card spot with a 22-18-3 record prior to Thursday\u2019s games.<\/p>\n

In September, Kane reached a financial settlement with the Sharks, as the team made a one-time payment to the winger without having to incur a salary cap charge for this season or in the future.<\/p>\n

The NHL Players\u2019 Association filed a grievance on Kane\u2019s behalf in Jan. 2022 after the Sharks, feeling the winger had breached his contract and violated AHL COVID-19 protocol, terminated what was left on the seven-year, $49 contract extension the two sides agreed upon in May 2018.<\/p>\n