In fact, no other player has even had nine points in a game. The closest is eight, the most recent of which happened 14 years ago when Sam Gagner had four goals and four assists for the Oilers in an 8-4 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 2, 2012.
“I’m a bit of a hockey nerd, so I know a lot of stats and League records,” Gagner said. “So yeah, I was aware of Darryl’s record. But it wasn’t something I ever had in my sights.”
He laughed.
“It was cool to be in that mix for one night, at least.”
Interestingly, Gagner was held without a point in the first period. Former Edmonton coach Tom Renney, looking to shake things up, at that point decided to switch lines and put Gagner with Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall for the second period.
Gagner went on to have three points in the second (one goal, two assists) and five in the third period, including a hat trick and two assists.
“Things just started to click, and then you build some confidence and you get into a flow, and everything seems to go right,” Gagner said. “I mean, obviously a lot of luck has to go into it as well.
“Can anyone get to 10 or more? I mean, there’s certainly guys with the talent to be able to do it if everything goes right on a night. I mean, I’ve been in the building for nights when [McDavid] gets five or six, then gets shut down for the third period and doesn’t play very much.
“So, I mean, probably not, but, you know, it’s hard to say never.”
Interestingly, on Gagner’s big night, Sittler received a text informing him the Oilers forward had seven points early in the third.
“Text me back when he or anyone else gets to nine,” Sittler replied.
He never got that text. Maybe he never will.
NHL.com staff writer Derek Van Diest contributed to this report
