Oilers' Connor McDavid is still a Calder Trophy factor

It was the Wayne Gretzky era revisited Thursday night in Edmonton when Connor McDavid uncorked a five-point (two goals, three assists) performance to power the Oilers to a 5-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Perhaps we were premature when we assumed that it was too much to ask for McDavid, who missed 37 games with a broken clavicle, to climb back into Calder Trophy consideration.

Here are six reasons why McDavid, 19, is still a factor in the rookie of the year race.

1. Confidence level is off the charts

McDavid has left the nest and is soaring like an eagle. He’s burst the finding-my-way bubble and is using his speed, instincts and skill to rise above. It seems as if his mental game enhanced during his absence. He has a better command of his responsibilities.

2. Has a training camp body in mid-February

How many times have we heard veterans say the only positive of a mid-season injury is that your body heals and becomes stronger while your opponents become worn down by the grind? McDavid trained while he was injured, and there is a freshness to his game now.

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3. Hunger to succeed

When Gretzky was piling up points in the 1980s, he was as driven as any athlete in sports history. When he had three points, he wanted four. When he had four, he wanted more. McDavid boasts the nuclear inner drive that fuels superstars. He has six multiple-point games in his past 15 contests. He has four goals and 12 points in his past six games, giving him nine and 24, respectively, in 19 games this season. McDavid is 11th in rookie scoring, trailing leader Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks by 28 points with 37 fewer games played.

McDavid has 26 games remaining. If he posts 40 or more points, members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association will have to view him as a Calder candidate.

4. Second half matters more

Writers traditionally have weighted the second half more heavily than the first half. Last season, for example, Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg was the toast of the NHL during the first half and wasn’t a finalist for the Calder because other players were stronger down the stretch.

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5. Candidacy could build momentum

It’s an interesting talking point now, but it could be a major league happening if he continues to dominate. McDavid and the Oilers could feed off the publicity. It’s not hard to imagine fans checking their phones and highlight shows on a nightly basis in order to follow McDavid.

6. Not in this alone

On Thursday, McDavid's line accounted for all the offense — five goals and eight assists. Jordan Eberle had three goals and an assist, and Benoit Pouliot totaled four assists. The trio has worked well together; Pouliot and McDavid found instant chemistry early on, while Eberle has been a good fit. Then there’s Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl, both of whom can find time with McDavid on the power play. The Oilers have the potential to be a very dangerous team.